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Burglary suspect accused of stealing firetruck

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A man is facing several charges after authorities said he stole a firetruck late Thursday and struck three cars less than 24 hours after he allegedly stole more than 50 bottles of alcohol from a business in Buffalo, according to prosecutors.

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Yassin Abdikadir, 25, was arraigned on a slew of charges Friday, including obstructing emergency medical services, third-degree burglary and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.

Prosecutors said Abdikadir stole a firetruck around 11:50 p.m. Thursday near Main and West Huron streets. Officials told WGRZ that the truck had been left idling as usual with its air brake engaged as firefighters responded to an EMS call in the area.

“This is the first time I can recall since being here in 1982 that one of our (apparatuses) was actually stolen,” fire commissioner William Renaldo said, according to WGRZ. He added that officials plan to review their standard procedures.

While driving the truck, officials said Abdikadir struck several signs and three vehicles, according to The Buffalo News. Authorities said he abandoned the truck after its air brake began to smoke, WGRZ reported. Officials told the News that the 25-year-old was arrested less than half an hour later, after he was found hiding in a garbage tote.

Prosecutors said that hours earlier, at around 2:30 a.m., Abdikadir allegedly broke into a business and stole about 50 bottles of alcohol worth about $2,000.

Abdikadir was released on his own recognizance following an arraignment Friday. He is expected to appear in court again next month.

If convicted of the most serious crime against him, Abdikadir faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.