KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (Sep. 12, 2026) — A Klamath County Fire District 1 command vehicle was recovered Friday after it was stolen from a fire station and later led law enforcement on a pursuit through southeastern Klamath County, authorities said.
On Friday, shortly after 9 a.m., law enforcement agencies throughout the Klamath Basin were alerted that the emergency command vehicle had been stolen from Station 4 near Campus Drive and Shallock Avenue in Klamath Falls.
The vehicle was equipped with emergency lights, firefighting equipment, radios and GPS tracking. Citizens soon reported seeing the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and being driven recklessly, creating a danger to motorists and workers in active highway construction zones, according to the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.
Klamath County sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police troopers pursued the vehicle through southeastern Klamath County. The pursuit ended near Malin after authorities successfully deployed spike strips, disabling the stolen vehicle.
The driver, identified as Joseph McVeigh of Vida, Oregon, was taken into custody.
As the investigation continued, deputies determined McVeigh was also a suspect in an arson and burglary reported earlier Friday at the AMA Gas Station on Highway 97 North.
According to investigators, McVeigh allegedly forced his way into the business, caused extensive damage inside and intentionally poured gasoline onto a fuel pump before setting it on fire.
Deputies responding to the gas station were able to extinguish the fire before it spread further. The suspect had fled before deputies arrived and could not initially be located.
McVeigh was lodged in the Klamath County Jail on charges including:
- Arson I
- Burglary II
- Aggravated Theft I — two 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 sheriff’s office credited members of the public who quickly reported the stolen vehicle and dangerous driving, as well as the agencies that assisted in the response.
Assisting agencies included Oregon State Police, Klamath Falls Police Department, Malin Police Department, Merrill Police Department, Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles and Klamath County 9-1-1.
Authorities said the incident began as an arson and burglary investigation before quickly developing into the theft of an emergency response vehicle and a pursuit across Klamath County.
The sheriff’s office said cooperation between law enforcement agencies and information provided by members of the public played an important role in safely apprehending the suspect and recovering the emergency response vehicle and its equipment.
All criminal charges are allegations. McVeigh is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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