MONTROSE, Colo. -- Few people own a fire truck and a man in Montrose made sure his didn't get taken on Monday.

A man ran to Lawerence Sanderson's house Monday to tell Sanderson someone was taking the fire truck.

Sanderson ran to the garage, yelled at the suspect, waved a gun at him and got the suspect to lay down on the ground until police arrived, according to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel newspaper.

Michael A. Chavez, 57, told officers he was trying to get out of the cold. However, Montrose police Cmdr. Gene Lillard told the Sentinel that Chavez had started the vehicle, slipped it into reverse and slammed the back wall of the garage, causing an estimated $300 damage.

Sanderson is a contractor for various wildland fire agencies. Lillard said the fire truck's keys had been left inside and the truck’s doors were unlocked.

Chavez was booked into Montrose County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, burglary, criminal mischief, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving and being an intoxicated pedestrian in the roadway.