Dec. 28--Chicago firefighters were responding to a routine drill in a Loop high-rise hotel Saturday when a West Side man allegedly took advantage of their distraction and stole a Chicago Fire Department SUV from the scene, authorities said Monday.
Joseph Gunn, 43, of the 4200 block of West Cermak Road, allegedly made off with the department-issued SUV of the first battalion chief that was left running outside the Hilton Chicago at 720 S. Michigan Ave.
The chief, who was one of the most senior officers on the scene that day, discovered the vehicle was gone when he got out of the building, officials said.
"It was red and black. ... It had 'Chicago Fire Department' all over it," said Larry Langford, spokesman for the department.
Police spotted the vehicle about 10 minutes after it was discovered gone and stopped Gunn near 15th Street and Homan Avenue in the Lawndale neighborhood, authorities said. All Fire Department vehicles are equipped with tracking devices, Langford said.
Gunn was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and false impersonation of a firefighter, both felony counts, as well as misdemeanor driving on a revoked license, according to police. He appeared in bond court Sunday and was ordered held in lieu of $25,000 bail, according to records.
bgurciullo@tribpub.com
