THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A firefighter stationed at the Remington Avenue fire station and Thomas County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was in the right place at the right time early Tuesday morning.

The firefighter walked outside the building at 6:35 a.m. and saw someone trying to steal EMS’ 2009 Polaris Ranger, a bright-red, six-wheel, all-terrain vehicle.

The Polaris Ranger, valued at $12,000, was on a trailer under a shelter.

“They (employees) yelled at him,” said Maj. Wade Glover, TPD public information officer.

The suspect fled. Police officers were nearby and pursued him.

“He was caught nearby on railroad tracks between Remington Park and EMS,” Glover said.

The suspect, Brandon Cooper, 30,195 Patch Road, Moultrie, is charged with felony theft by taking.

TIm Coram, EMS director, said the Polaris, which was obtained with a grant, has EMS on it in several places and a stretcher on the back. Coram wondered aloud why anyone would want to steal such an obviously-marked vehicle.

“It was good work by the fire guy,” Corman said, “and excellent work by police.”

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