Fire Rescue Truck Stolen in Paulding County

(Paulding County, GA) On Monday June 27, 2016 at approximately 9:54 am Zachary Lee Paulk (W/M, 27 YOA) forcefully gained entry into Fire Station 3 (2450 Mount Tabor Church Road Dallas, GA 30132). Since the firefighters were conducting training exercises at nearby Mount Tabor Park, no one knew that Paulk had gained entry into the Fire Station. Once he was inside, Paulk obtained the keys to Rescue Truck 3 and drove the truck through the bay door exiting the station.
Paulk drove down Mount Tabor Church Road leaving a path of destruction behind him. Multiple road signs, mailboxes, and other utilities were destroyed before the joyride came to an end. Paulk finally struck a red pickup truck in the area of 2116 Bobo Road which caused Rescue Truck 3 to go airborne and come to a stop. According to witnesses, Paulk then tried to steal an SUV at 2116 Bobo Road before being encountered by the homeowner. Paulk then retreated into the garage where he was later walked out by the homeowner. Once Deputies arrived, Paulk surrendered to them without incident.
The witnesses indicated that Paulk told them that someone was “after” him and that he was trying to get away. Multiple witnesses explained that they never saw anyone in the area trying to “get” him. Paulk was later transported to Paulding Wellstar Hospital for toxicology screening.
During the course of this incident, there were hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to both county property as well as personal property. Luckily, no one was injured during this rampage. Currently, Paulk is being held in the Paulding County Jail without bond and faces a host of felony charges.

If you have any additional information about this incident or about Paulk, call the Criminal Investigations Division of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office at (770) 443-3015.