A Florida man with previous felony convictions that include grand theft auto led police on a chase while he was at the wheel of a stolen fire vehicle this past weekend.
ABC News in Tampa Bay reports that 31-year-old Michael James Chick, who was just released from prison in October, is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a Lealman Fire District vehicle and leading deputies on a brief chase through Pinellas County on Saturday afternoon.
Investigators say Chick stole the bright red Ford SUV from Lealman Fire Department Station 18 at about 1:15 p.m., but Lealman Fire Capt. Larry Thompson says he wasn't even aware of the theft until someone called the station and reported that a "member of his crew" was driving erratically.
"That's when I looked out and saw (the SUV) was not where it was supposed to be," Thompson told ABC News.
Deputies were dispatched and used air support to keep tabs on Chick and the vehicle before they finally caught up with him at a fast food restaurant. The thief attempted to escape on foot but was quickly apprehended.
Chick, who has previously been convicted of grand theft auto and forgery, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges including grand theft auto, burglary, fleeing police and driving without a valid driver's license.
He is being held without bond.
