UTICA — A man was charged with stealing a rescue truck belonging to Utica Fire Department while it was parked in the 500 block of Bleecker St. and leading police on a chase after being charged for his involvement in two other incidents in the city Thursday.
Utica Police said at about 11:40 a.m. they were notified by the fire department of the theft of its Rescue 2 truck.
An undercover Utica Police investigator later noticed the vehicle being operated in the 700 block of Bleecker St. and started following it until uniformed Utica Police cars attempted to initiate a stop, police said. Once patrol units got behind the vehicle they attempted to stop it, but the driver refused to pull over and a chase ensued.
Police said the pursuit continued until North Genesee Street where the operator then began to drive northbound in the southbound lanes, striking two vehicles without stopping. No one was injured in the collisions. The truck then continued until the driver’s reckless actions caused patrol units to terminate the chase, police said.
A state police vehicle in the area then began to pursue the rescue truck onto River Road, and then onto Route 12, before the driver made it to the State Thruway. Police said approximately one mile west of Exit 31, the driver abandoned the vehicle when it got stuck in a grassy area, and fled on foot toward the rear of Walmart.
Troopers were then able to locate the suspect, later identified as Brandon Hatton, 29, of Utica, and turned him over to Utica Police.
Police said once his identity was confirmed, it was learned that Hatton had been charged, booked and released on two previous occasions just on Thursday alone.
The first incident occurred at Tiny’s Bar and Grill on State Street in Utica when Hatton was accused of illegally entering the establishment by breaking a window. During that incident, Hatton was charged with criminal trespass and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
After being released on appearance tickets, Hatton proceeded to enter several vehicles in the area of Mohawk Street and steal items. Owners of those vehicles caught him the act, and when police got into the area to attempt to take him into custody, Hatton fled on foot.
After a brief pursuit, police said Hatton was taken into custody and booked on charges of second-degree obstructing governmental administration and petty larceny, and was released on appearance tickets.
At this time, members of the Utica Police Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division are compiling charges against Hatton, but charges so far include: second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, as well as several Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. Other counts are pending, police said.
Once all charges are filed, Hatton will appear in City Court.
Source: https://romesentinel.com/stories/man-accused-of-stealing-utica-fire-truck,126391
