Police: Cadet stole city aid van

Bucoda teen could face theft charges

By Rolf Boone | The Olympian • Published September 07, 2008

• Comments (0)

BUCODA – An 18-year-old Bucoda Volunteer Fire Department cadet could face multiple charges, including driving under the influence, after he stole and crashed a department aid van early Saturday, Tenino police said.

Joe Durga entered the fire department at 110 N. Main St. through an unlocked window, stole a portable radio and drove off in a vehicle similar to an ambulance about 2 a.m., Tenino Police Chief Joe Vukich said.

Keys are left in the aid vehicle's ignition so fire department personnel can quickly respond to emergencies, Vukich said.

"The cadet made entry through a window that we believe had been tampered with so the window would not lock," Bucoda Fire Chief James Fowler said in a news release.

Durga turned on the emergency lights and headed south toward Lewis County, Tenino Police Sgt. Ron Evans said.

Durga then shut off the emergency lights, turned around and pulled off Tono Road before heading back toward Thurston County. By then, volunteer Bucoda firefighter Talithah Abbe pulled up alongside Durga to see what was going on, Evans said.

Durga panicked, accelerated back onto Tono Road, lost control of the vehicle and drove into a ditch, striking a tree about a mile from the fire department, police said.

He fled and later was found by an Olympia Police Department K-9 unit, Evans said. Thurston County Sheriff deputies and Tenino Fire District 12 also responded.

Durga was treated for minor injuries at the scene and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, where he was examined, a blood sample was taken and he was released to the custody of his parents.

Evans said charges are likely to be filed against Durga next week with the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office, including driving under the influence, first-degree theft and second-degree burglary. Durga doesn't have a driver's license, he said.

Bucoda Mayor Kathy Martin said the fire department had two fire engines and one aid vehicle until Saturday morning's incident.

A small town without an emergency aid vehicle creates a hardship for the community, Martin said.

"Everybody's budget is tight, and ours is tighter than most," she said.

The Bucoda City Council will discuss the issue at 7 p.m. Tuesday. City Hall also is at 110 N. Main St.

Rolf Boone is a reporter for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.