STOLEN FIRE COMMAND VEHICLE RECOVERED FOLLOWING PURSUIT — SUSPECT ARRESTED

Shortly after 9:00 a.m. this morning, law enforcement agencies throughout the Klamath Basin were alerted that a Klamath County Fire District #1 command vehicle had been stolen from Station 4 near Campus Drive and Shallock Avenue in Klamath Falls.

The vehicle, equipped with emergency lights, firefighting equipment, radios, and GPS tracking, was soon reported by citizens to be traveling at a high rate of speed and being driven recklessly, creating a significant danger to the public, including motorists and workers in active highway construction zones.


The driver, later identified as Joseph McVeigh of Vida, Oregon, led Klamath County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Oregon State Police troopers on a pursuit through southeastern Klamath County. The pursuit ended near Malin after spike strips were successfully deployed, disabling the stolen vehicle. McVeigh was taken into custody.

As the investigation continued, deputies determined McVeigh was also the suspect in a serious arson and burglary that had occurred earlier in the morning at the AMA Gas Station on Highway 97 North.

McVeigh is alleged to have forcibly entered the business, caused extensive damage inside, and then intentionally poured gasoline on a fuel pump and set it on fire. Deputies responding to that incident were able to extinguish the fire before it could spread further, but the suspect had fled prior to their arrival and could not initially be located.

McVeigh was arrested and lodged at the Klamath County Jail on charges including:

  • Arson I
  • Burglary II
  • Aggravated Theft I — 2 counts
  • Criminal Mischief I
  • Felony Attempt to Elude
  • Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
  • Recklessly Endangering Another Person
  • Reckless Driving
  • Driving While Suspended — Misdemeanor

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens who quickly reported the stolen vehicle and dangerous driving, as well as the public safety partners whose coordinated response helped bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

Assisting agencies included the Oregon State Police, Klamath Falls Police Department, Malin Police Department, Merrill Police Department, Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles and Klamath County 9-1-1.

What began as an arson and burglary investigation quickly developed into the theft of an emergency response vehicle and a dangerous pursuit across Klamath County. The cooperation between responding agencies, along with information provided by members of the public, was instrumental in safely apprehending the suspect and recovering critical emergency response equipment.

All criminal charges are allegations. McVeigh is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This incident and others were covered live in our Klamath Alerts Breaking News App