Aug. 24-- A man who stole a fire apparatus, crashed it on the banks of the Mississippi River and then required a water rescue earlier this week is facing several felony charges.
Quad Cities Online reports that Nathan Stottler, 40, was booked into Rock Island County jail Wednesday morning on two counts of felony theft and one count of aggravated driving under the influence, according to county court records. His bail was set at $250,000.
Stottler jumped behind the wheel of the East Moline fire vehicle Tuesday and drove to the town of Hampton before crashing the apparatus into the waters of the Mississippi River and then hopping in as he tried to elude authorities. He was eventually apprehended with the help of area fire department rescue boats.
East Moline Engine 21 was towed from the scene and on Wednesday could be seen in the city's Engineering & Maintenance Services Facility.
Chief Rob DeFrance said the East Moline Fire Department has a reserve truck it can use.
