Newark Man Steals Fire Truck While Crew Battles Blaze: Police

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man stole a fire truck while local firefighters were battling a car blaze on July 4th, setting off a police chase that ended with a crash in Ridgefield Park, authorities said.

Hector Perez, 48, got into the truck around 4:10 p.m. near Avon and Peshine avenues, then drove away, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Here’s what happened next, authorities said:

“The vehicle was pursued through multiple jurisdictions by Newark police with assistance from various law enforcement agencies until the vehicle was observed by Fairview police. The pursuit continued into Ridgefield Park, and ended when the suspect drove to the end of a dead-end road in an industrial area and crashed at 200 Industrial Way. Newark police arrested the suspect and took him into custody.”

Perez, who only has one eye, was apprehended at the scene without injury. He was charged with receiving stolen property, burglary, eluding, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon.

Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara accused Perez of putting his own life in danger, as well as the lives of “countless drivers and pedestrians.”

“I’m grateful that he was apprehended before he harmed anyone or himself,” O’Hara said.

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