A New Hampshire man is accused of stealing a fire department rescue truck from the crews battling his own burning house early last week, then using the stolen vehicle to ram an active fire engine, drive over water supply lines, and narrowly miss three firefighters before crashing on a neighbor’s property and trying to steal items off the porch.
New Hampshire State Police said troopers were called to assist Dalton Fire & Rescue with a house fire at approximately 3:50 a.m. on August 25 when they learned the homeowner, identified as 30-year-old Nestor Roman II, had taken off in a Whitefield Fire & Rescue vehicle that was on scene helping fight the blaze at his own home.
A Rampage Through the Fire Scene
While driving the stolen rescue truck, police say Roman struck another Whitefield Fire & Rescue engine that was actively being used in the firefighting effort, then drove directly over multiple water supply lines feeding the operation. Troopers said he also narrowly missed hitting three firefighters who were working the scene as he sped through the property.
Roman eventually crashed the stolen rescue truck at a different home in Dalton, according to the Boston Globe. A homeowner there called troopers to report the crash and said the driver was attempting to take items off their porch when they were confronted, bringing the chaotic string of events at his own house fire to an end blocks away.
Facing a Long List of Charges
Roman was arrested and now faces an extensive list of charges, including three felony counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, burglary, and two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, according to Fox News. He also faces misdemeanor counts of obstructing government administration, four counts of conduct after an accident, resisting arrest and detention, driving after a suspended license, and two counts of driving over a fire hose without consent.
It remains unclear what led Roman to take the rescue truck as crews worked to save his home, and investigators have not said whether the house was a total loss. New Hampshire State Police said the investigation remains active as prosecutors prepare the case.
