June 18 -- ALBANY, NY -- A 28-year-old city man is accused of stealing a paramedic rescue truck from the Albany Fire Department, city police said Monday.
Albany firefighters — who are also trained paramedics — were treating someone for a medical emergency at 11:25 a.m. on Hudson Avenue, between Ontario Street and Perry Place, when a man stole their parked but still running rescue truck, police said.
Moments after the firefighters reported the theft, a city police officer saw Rescue 9 driving westbound on Clinton Avenue near Quail Street and tried to stop the truck.
The driver refused to stop and led police on a brief chase down Clinton Avenue. The man stopped just before the intersection with Robin Street and was arrested by police.
Larry Blanding is charged with felony grand larceny, unlawfully fleeing a police officer and reckless driving. He will be arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court.
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