Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 21 to include more details released by the RCMP regarding the suspect.   

An Inuvik fire truck is back in its rightful place at the fire hall and undergoing damage assessments after it was nabbed Tuesday evening.

The truck in question was the Inuvik Fire Department's apparatus ladder 1, according to a news release sent Wednesday afternoon.

Between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, it's believed someone stole the 105-foot ladder truck, which was idling outside while fire crews had been working inside the fire hall bays.

After the truck was discovered missing, Inuvik RCMP were called and both fire and police began a "systematic search" in town and surrounding areas, including the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the Aklavik Ice Road, and sections of the Dempster Highway.

There were also contingency plans made to make sure the community had adequate fire support while the truck was missing, the release says.

Shortly after 10 p.m., police received a report of the missing truck spotted near Gwich'in Territorial Park. It was later found north of Tsiigehtchic, which is 129 kilometres south of Inuvik.

An RCMP news release on Thursday says police arrested a 43-year-old man on scene, who remains in custody. He faces four charges including vehicle theft and impaired driving.

There was minimal damage to the truck and it was able to be driven back to the Inuvik Fire Hall in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The release says it is now undergoing further assessment for damages and functionality.

The replacement value of the 2011 model of the truck would have been more than $750,000 should it not have been found or was more severely damaged.

"The Town of Inuvik and Inuvik Fire Department note that the outcome of this situation could have been much worse with devastating consequences," the release says.

"We do not consider the actions of this particular individual to be representative of our community."

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Join the conversation  Create account

Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6

Toll-free (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636

TTY/Teletype writer: 1-866-220-6045

It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges.

Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem.