New Hampshire man charged with stealing rescue truck during house fire response

<p>A New Hampshire man whose home was on fire has been charged with stealing a rescue truck from firefighters responding to the incident. Nestor Roman II, 30, of Dalton, allegedly took the vehicle and crashed it into a fire engine, drove over active hoses, and narrowly missed three firefighters before fleeing the scene, according to authorities.</p><p>The incident occurred around 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday when New Hampshire State Police were called to assist Dalton Fire & Rescue with a house fire. During this time, they learned that a Whitefield Fire & Rescue vehicle had been stolen.</p><p>Dalton Fire & Rescue reported that crews were dispatched to a fully involved structure fire near Faraway Road and Mountain Road, with several neighboring departments providing mutual aid. Roman allegedly entered the Whitefield Fire & Rescue's F550 rescue truck and drove away shortly before 5 a.m.</p><p>According to the fire department, Roman drove around the Whitefield E3 fire engine, nearly striking two firefighters and narrowly missing a third. He then crashed into the E3 and a small pickup while attempting to leave the scene.</p><p>State police reported that Roman drove over multiple water supply lines while fleeing. Dalton Fire & Rescue noted that two charged hoses being used to combat the fire were run over but remained undamaged. Roman also reportedly struck a firefighter's personal vehicle and caused damage to neighboring property, including wooden fences at two separate locations.</p><p>The situation ended several miles away when a homeowner reported that the stolen rescue vehicle had crashed on their property. The homeowner also indicated that Roman was attempting to take items from the porch. Troopers arrived shortly after and found Roman on the porch. He was reportedly uncooperative but was taken into custody.</p><p>Roman faces three felony counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, burglary, and two counts of theft by unauthorized taking. He also faces several misdemeanor charges, including obstructing government administration, four counts of conduct after an accident, resisting arrest and detention, driving after suspension, and two counts of driving over a fire hose without consent.</p><p>Despite sustaining significant damage, Whitefield's E3 fire engine remained operational, and firefighters successfully extinguished the flames. The house was declared a complete loss. The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Dalton Fire & Rescue expressed gratitude that no firefighters were physically injured during the incident.</p>