Motorcyclists ride to raise money for rescue squad whose truck was set on fire

ANSON COUNTY, N.C. — Dozens of motorcyclists rode for a good cause Sunday afternoon, all to help the Richmond County Rescue Squad recover after they became victims of a crime.

The group was riding from Rockingham to Moore County. Several motorcycle clubs were called out to help raise money for the rescue squad.

It included fish plates as well as a cornhole tournament and auction.

In June, police said Anthony Clark stole the Richmond County Rescue Squad's fire truck and took most of its equipment before setting it on fire in a remote area in Anson County.

Since it is an all-volunteer program, they had to raise half the money to buy the truck.

Clark was charged in Richmond County with larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, injury to personal property, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and possession of stolen goods.

Clark was also charged in Anson County with burning personal property and possession of stolen goods or property.

Authorities found the smoldering truck in a rural part of Anson County last Sunday afternoon. Rescue Squad Chief Scott Waters told Channel 9 the truck was stolen from the volunteer department’s station in Rockingham.

Officials said most of the gear that was on the truck appeared to have been stripped from the vehicle and stolen before the truck was set ablaze.

Waters said his squad applied for a fire marshal’s grant to pay for half of the cost of the truck and had to fundraise for the other half. The truck alone was valued at $50,000 – not counting any of the gear that was stolen.

The department is hoping insurance will cover the cost of the gear, but Waters wasn’t sure.

Rockingham police is investigating the break-in, while the Anson County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the truck fire.

Clark is being held at the Richmond County Jail under a $265,000 bond.

Cox Media Group