Dalton, NH – A New Hampshire man faces multiple charges after allegedly stealing a rescue truck from firefighters responding to his burning Dalton home early Tuesday, then driving through active firefighting operations and nearly striking three firefighters, authorities said.
According to New Hampshire State Police, troopers were dispatched around 3:50 a.m. Tuesday to assist Dalton Fire & Rescue at a house fire. Investigators said the homeowner, identified as 30-year-old Nestor Roman, allegedly stole a Whitefield Fire & Rescue vehicle and drove east on Faraway Road.
Police said Roman allegedly struck another Whitefield Fire & Rescue engine that was actively involved in firefighting operations. The stolen rescue vehicle also traveled over several water supply lines and narrowly missed three firefighters, according to authorities.
Wooden fences at two separate properties were also damaged, police said.
Troopers later received a report that the stolen rescue vehicle had crashed on another Dalton property. The homeowner there reported that the suspect was allegedly attempting to take items from the home’s porch.
Police said troopers arrived moments later and found Roman on the porch. Authorities described him as uncooperative before he was ultimately taken into custody.
Roman was arrested on multiple charges, including three counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, obstructing government administration, felony theft by unauthorized taking, four counts of conduct after an accident, burglary, and resisting arrest and detention.
Roman was transported to the Coos County jail and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Lancaster District Court.
The investigation remains ongoing. State police asked anyone with information to contact Trooper Allan Esty at (603) 846-3333.
