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Man Charged After Stolen Fire Truck Driven Onto Puckapunyal Base in Cross-Border Pursuit

Bolton’s brigade now lacks its tanker, forcing reliance on nearby crews during peak fire risk.

Overview

  • Police allege a 31-year-old Hamilton man crashed into the Bolton RFS shed near Jerilderie before stealing the truck just before 9pm Wednesday.
  • The vehicle was driven with lights and sirens from NSW into Victoria, with NSW Police handing over the pursuit to Victoria Police at Tocumwal.
  • Stop sticks deflated the tyres near Shepparton, yet the truck entered Puckapunyal Army Base, where the driver allegedly took a security guard’s unattended car.
  • Officers deployed stop sticks again and arrested the man on the base, and he faces multiple charges including carjacking, motor-vehicle theft and criminal damage.
  • He is due to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, and the RFS says Bolton will rely on Jerilderie crews while a replacement appliance is arranged.