A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a Bridgeview Fire Department SUV Thursday and driving it from the southwest suburb to the Loop.
The man, who is from Chicago and may be homeless, took the unoccupied fire department command vehicle while it was idling in front of the fire house at 7350 W. 100th Place, according to Bridgeview village spokesman Ray Hanania.
The suspect was able to get past the vehicle’s security measures and drive off before anyone could follow him, Hanania said. Authorities first noticed the vehicle was missing at 11:05 a.m.
Police in neighboring Burbank spotted the vehicle near 87th and Harlem Avenue, Hanania said.
The man drove the SUV through Chicago, including near 71st Street and Stony Island Avenue, before he was ultimately stopped about 1 p.m. on Lake Shore Drive near Monroe Street, according to Hanania and Chicago police. A Chicago police helicopter was used to track the vehicle.
The SUV was not damaged during the pursuit, but officers had to break a window to get the man out and take him into custody.
Hanania said fire vehicles are often left running in park in order to allow first responders to respond to calls more quickly. He said there is a security system in place to keep unauthorized people from driving them but it was unclear whether the system was compromised.
Bridgeview police officers drove the suspect back to the southwest suburb, where he will be booked and processed, Hanania said.
