20-year-old marine recruit accused of stealing fire truck, crashing into police vehicle in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A 20-year-old man is facing multiple charges after court records say he stole a fire truck early Sunday morning and later crashed it into a Wilmington police vehicle.

According to court documents, Michael Fanning allegedly stole the fire truck early Sunday and drove it along Market Street at speeds more than 15 mph over the speed limit.

The warrant states Fanning then crashed the fire truck into the front of a Wilmington Police Department vehicle while an officer was inside. The warrant says that Fanning also punched the officer in the face following the crash.

Court documents state that Fanning is a marine recruit out of Texas.

Court records further allege Fanning attempted to bribe another officer with $15,000 in exchange for being released.

Fanning faces several charges, including speeding to elude arrest with aggravating factors, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, offering bribes, larceny from a motor vehicle, driving while impaired, resisting a public officer, assault on a government official or law enforcement officer and communicating threats.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Fanning is currently being held at the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.