THOMASVILLE — The driver of a stolen truck remained at large Thursday morning after the vehicle landed on a fire hydrant.

It did not take local lawmen long to stop the stolen vehicle once it was spotted, but the vehicle’s final resting place was not anticipated.

The black Dodge Ram was stolen from a Carroll Hill package store. The driver left keys in the truck and entered the business about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“Somebody outside got into the truck and drove off,” said Sgt. Scott Newberry, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations assistant commander.

Two hours later, a Thomas County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted the truck on Covington Avenue. The vehicle turned into the Wildwood apartment complex with the deputy and police in pursuit.

Officers boxed in the truck, which struck a fire hydrant.

“The front end ended up on a fire hydrant inside the apartment complex,” Newberry said.

Detectives are viewing surveillance from the package store in an attempt to identify the truck thief. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820