Everett Police property crimes detectives have referred charges to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office after completing the investigation into the July 2025 theft of an Everett Fire Department engine and the series of collisions that followed.
“Stealing a fire engine is not only unlawful – it puts our community and our first responders at risk,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “I’m grateful to our Everett Police Department and partner agencies for their determined work identifying the suspect in this serious incident.”
On Friday, July 18, 2025, an Everett Fire engine was stolen from the 2900 block of Hoyt Avenue while firefighters were on scene of a late night medical emergency. The suspect drove the stolen fire engine at high speeds through north Everett residential streets, causing significant damage to multiple parked vehicles and landscaping across five locations before fleeing on foot.
Just after 11:00 p.m., the engine crew, who had been on the fifth floor of an apartment building in the 2900 block of Hoyt for a medical emergency, returned to their apparatus and discovered the engine was missing. At the same time, the first 911 call was received, reporting a hit-and-run incident in the 1300 block of Hoyt Avenue; witnesses stated that the fire engine had struck two parked cars at a high rate of speed and left the scene. About a minute later, similar reports came in from the 1000 block of E Marine View Drive, where the fire engine came to a stop after colliding with six parked vehicles.
As Everett Police responded to the incident scenes, they discovered several other locations with damage. The affected locations were:
- 2900 Hoyt Avenue: Original theft location
- 2600 Hoyt Avenue: Collision involving three parked vehicles
- 1300 Hoyt Avenue: Additional collision with two parked vehicles
- 900 Hoyt Ave: Collision involving one parked vehicle
- 500 block of Alverson: Damage to landscaping trees
- Alverson Blvd & W Marine View Drive: Damage to directional signs, curbing and grass
- 1000 E Marine View Drive: Collision with six parked vehicles
Everett police officers quickly responded to the location where the fire engine had come to rest – the 1000 block of E. Marine View Drive. A K-9 track was conducted, but the suspect was not located. No injuries were reported at any of the incident locations.
“I want to thank our detectives, officers, and partner agencies for their persistence during this investigation,” said Everett Police Chief Robert Goetz. “Their work provided closure to a critical case and reinforced our commitment to accountability and justice.”
The stolen fire engine, a 2018 Pierce Enforcer Pumper, received significant damage and was placed out of service and impounded for evidence. A reserve fire apparatus was placed into service to ensure emergency services were not interrupted for the Everett community.
Detectives with the Everett Property Crimes Unit identified the suspect using DNA evidence recovered from the stolen fire engine at the time of the incident. The suspect, a man in his 30s, was located already in custody at the South Correctional Entity (SCORE jail) in King County, where he was interviewed by investigators.
Following the interview with investigators, this case was submitted to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office.
The charges under review by the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office are as follows:
- One count Theft of Motor Vehicle
- 12 counts Hit and Run – Unattended Vehicle
- 6 counts Hit and Run – Unattended Property
Everett Fire Chief Dave DeMarco stated, “We appreciate the Everett Police Department’s work investigating this incident. Emergency vehicles are critical, life-saving resources for our community. Taking a fire engine while our firefighters were responding to a medical emergency created a dangerous situation and caused significant damage to the engine and community property. We’re grateful no one was seriously injured and value the strong coordination and partnership with our law enforcement colleagues.”
While the investigation is complete, Everett Police and Fire Departments remain committed to protecting and serving the community and ensuring emergency services are available when needed.
Source: Everett Police Department
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
