Man Arrested after Ramming Vehicles in Stolen Fire Engine

Police arrested a 58-year-old transient who struck at least three vehicles in a stolen fire engine before trying to intentionally ram a responding police vehicle early Friday morning. Police received the first call of a hit-and-run at a Circle K at 765 W. Redlands Blvd. shortly after 4 a.m. Friday, June 5. The caller said they had been struck by a small fire truck. Minutes later police received a call of another vehicle that had been struck in a parking lot near a Denny’s restaurant at 9 W. Redlands Blvd. A third caller reported that the fire truck was actively ramming their vehicle near the intersection of Nevada Street and Orange Tree Lane. As police arrived on scene the driver in the fire truck began driving directly at the police vehicle at a high rate of speed. The officer was able to maneuver and avoid a collision before pulling the suspect vehicle over without further incident. Police arrested John Hayes Waddell, a 58-year-old transient. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and possession of stolen property. Police determined the vehicle, a San Bernardino County Fire Department brush engine, had been stolen earlier from Redlands Ford where it was being serviced. A county fire battalion chief responded and took possession of the vehicle. Waddell is being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga in lieu of $50,000 bail. Anyone with information regarding crime or suspicious activity is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at 909-798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.” Certain non-emergency crimes may also be reported online using the Redlands Police Department’s CopLogic reporting system at cityofredlands.org/police/report.