Friday afternoon, Portland Fire & Rescue Engine Three responded to a fire alarm in the area of NE 15th and Broadway.
While searching a building in that area their fire engine was stolen.
The fire engine was recovered minutes later in the area of N Greely and N Going.
Portland Police arrested 25-year-old Brandon Vandewalker on one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and one count of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree.
Fire Chief Sara Boone said, “ I am relieved to know that no one was injured in the dangerous situation that unfolded in North Portland. I would like to thank the firefighters from Engine Three for their quick action and the Portland Police officers for their quick response and closure to this. We will allow the investigators to complete their job before commenting any further on what exactly happened; but I want the public to know that we do not take the theft and reckless operation of the cities emergency response apparatus lightly. We will review our internal policies to prevent this from happening in the future.”