CT Man Stole Fire Department Truck, Used It To Stop Drivers In MA: Police

WINDSOR, CT — A man who stole a pickup truck from a firehouse in Windsor and used it to conduct traffic stops on drivers in Massachusetts was arrested Saturday by police in that state, authorities said.

Kristian Avery, 46, of Windsor, broke into a fire station in Windsor, tried to start a fire and stole a pickup truck early Saturday morning, according to Massachusetts state police.

Not long afterward, troopers in Massachusetts received reports of a man in a marked Windsor Fire Department pickup activating emergency lights and conducting suspicious vehicle stops, during which he failed to properly identify himself, on Interstate 91 north in Northampton and Whatley, police said.

Troopers saw the truck on the interstate in Deerfield and stopped it, according to police, who said the driver pulled over briefly before fleeing, inciting a pursuit. Troopers and Deerfield police used stop sticks on the vehicle and took Avery into custody shortly before 5 a.m., police said.

Avery will face charges in Massachusetts of receiving stolen property, impersonating police, failure to stop for police, negligent driving and improper use of emergency lights, according to authorities. Windsor police are also investigating, authorities said.