FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — A 15-year-old girl faces numerous charges after allegedly stealing a truck belonging to the Fort Fairfield fire chief from the department’s parking lot and crashing it.
Fort Fairfield Police received a report late Tuesday of a vehicle being driven erratically and then crashing at the intersection of Route 1A and Center Limestone Road in Fort Fairfield.
Sgt. Ryan Eagles noticed that the truck belonged to Fort Fairfield Fire Rescue Chief Timothy Browning, police said. Moments after, Browning, who was responding to the call as well, reported that his truck was missing from the fire department’s parking lot.
Police said the truck was running so that it could warm up when a 15-year-old girl allegedly entered it and drove away from the station, striking another fire department vehicle as she did so. Police arrested her around 10:30 p.m.
Police said that the 15-year-old — who was not named by police as is standard in cases involving juveniles — allegedly caused about $7,000 worth of damage. She has been charged with theft by unauthorized use, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, operating a motor vehicle without a license, driving to endanger, leaving the scene of an accident and aggravated criminal mischief. Her court date is scheduled for January.
After the crash, the Fort Fairfield Fire Department transported the girl to Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital. She was released to her grandmother’s custody after treatment.
A truck belonging to Timothy Browning stolen from the Fort Fairfield Fire Department parking lot on Tuesday. (Courtesy of Fort Fairfield Police Department)
