Larry Blanding, of Albany, is facing charges after stealing the Albany Fire Department's paramedic truck during a response call, according to police.

On Monday about 11:25 a.m., Albany fire fighters were treating someone for a medical emergency on the 400 block of Hudson Avenue. Police said while the crew assisted the patient, someone jumped into their Rescue 9 truck, which was still running, and drove off.

Moments after the firefighters reported the theft, an Albany police officer spotted Blanding driving the truck heading west on Clinton Avenue, near Quail Street and tried to pull it over. He initially refused to stop and led officers on a brief chase. Police stopped Blanding before the intersection on Robin Street and arrested him.

Blanding, 28, has been charged with felony grand larceny, unlawfully fleeing a police officer and reckless driving.