Tampa Police arrested a man on Tuesday morning after he allegedly stole a fire engine and caused a hit-and-run collision.
According to preliminary reports, at about 9:25 a.m., 59-year-old Warren Scudder took a fire engine while firefighters were inside St. Joseph’s Hospital. Scudder then drove the vehicle and crashed into a gray Lexus SUV near Dr. King Blvd and MacDill Ave. The driver of the Lexus, an adult male, reported hip pain after the crash and was being evaluated by hospital staff.
Officers were dispatched and located the stolen fire engine within minutes. By 9:38 a.m., police had surrounded and blocked the vehicle in the 4100 block of Poplar Ave.
Scudder was taken into custody without further incident. He faces charges of Grand Theft Auto and Hit & Run, with additional charges possible as the investigation continues.
“This remains an active investigation,” police stated.
