ATV stolen from fire department

May 20, 2008 10:13 am

— By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor
A thief stole a $15,000 all-terrain vehicle from the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department over the weekend, and members of the department are asking for the public’s help in finding it.
Oak Grove Fire Chief Kevin Gibbs said the vehicle — a 2008 Yamaha Rhino 700 side-by-side — was taken sometime between Saturday night and 4 p.m. Sunday. The thief, or thieves, broken in to the fire station located behind Oak Grove Elementary through the back door.
“Before they made entry into the back door, they pulled the meter, disabling the electric, and cut the phone lines,” Gibbs said. “The battalion chief showed up at about 4 p.m. Sunday and came through the front door, and noticed it was gone.”
The vehicle was on a year-long loan from Yamaha through a program the company provides to emergency services personnel. It was a new model with only about 140 miles on it, Gibbs said, and with various attachments and equipment, was worth about $15,000.
“We just recently used it at the tornado at Cumberland Falls to transport equipment in and out of confined areas,” Gibbs said. “We also use it at race track events because it’s really quick and easy to maneuver around... and ATV accidents that are back in the woods. It’s something that we used on a weekly basis, probably about twice a week.”
The red Rhino had vinyl Oak Grove VFD decals on it. Even if removed, the outline of the decals might still be noticeable. The vehicle also had a fire extinguisher attached.
Those who took the Rhino passed by other valuable equipment at the fire station, which leads Gibbs to believe they knew exactly what they were after.
“We had damage to one door that we’ll have to replace, and as far as anything else missing, we’re going to do an inventory tonight (Monday), but they had come in for one purpose and one purpose only,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs said the department’s insurance company will be able to offer a reward for the return of the vehicle. Those with information on the case should contact investigating officer Chuck Davis of the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department at 549-6006.
“We are strictly a community funded VFD,” Gibbs said, “so in other words whoever stole it from us stole it from the entire community.”
Oak Grove VFD is run almost entirely on donations from the community. To support Oak Grove VFD or become an annual member, send donations to PO Box 378, Corbin, Ky 40701 or contact 528-3362.