Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Fire Truck in NSW and Crashing Into Australian Army Base
NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA — A 31-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a fire truck from a rural fire service station in southern New South Wales and leading police on a 220-kilometer cross-border pursuit that ended inside an Australian army base in Victoria.
Authorities said the bizarre incident began around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, when a fire truck was reported stolen from the Bolton Rural Fire Service sheds near Jerilderie, a small farming community in southern NSW.
Cross-Border Police Chase Into Victoria
According to NSW Police, officers pursued the stolen truck south to the Tocumwal border crossing, where it entered Victoria.
Victoria Police then took over the chase, following the truck as it traveled along the Murray Valley Highway toward the Goulburn Valley Highway. Despite the pursuit, police said the driver kept to the speed limit and refused to stop.
After bypassing the city of Shepparton, officers successfully deployed stop sticks, deflating the truck’s tires. But the driver continued on, heading toward Puckapunyal Army Base, one of Australia’s largest military training facilities.
Suspect Breaches Army Base and Steals Second Vehicle
Authorities said the suspect drove through the army base’s security access point, eventually stopping the fire truck before exiting and stealing a security guard’s vehicle that had been left unattended nearby.
The man continued driving across the military base until police deployed stop sticks a second time, disabling the vehicle. Officers then arrested the suspect without further incident.
Charges and Court Appearance
The man, identified as a 31-year-old from Hamilton, was taken into custody and charged with multiple offences, including:
- Carjacking
- Two counts of stealing a motor vehicle
- Criminal damage
- Transporting stolen goodsAuthorities said the man is scheduled to appear in court today to face the charges.
Multi-Agency Operation Concludes Safely
Both NSW and Victoria Police praised the coordination that prevented injuries or further damage during the pursuit. Investigators are now working with the Rural Fire Service and Australian Defence Force to assess the full extent of property damage at both the fire station and the army base.
Officials have not yet commented on the motive behind the theft.
As police continue to investigate this unusual cross-border incident, authorities reminded the public that unauthorized entry into defense installations carries severe penalties. For continued updates on international and regional crime, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.