Firefighter accused of stealing at crash

Staff report

A Clovis firefighter is accused of stealing items from a vehicle at a crash he was called to, according to Sheriff Wesley Waller.

Lt. Christopher Elam, 32, was charged Friday with misdemeanor larceny, Waller said in a press release issued late Monday.

Elam is accused of stealing a bottle containing an alcoholic beverage, a bottle of a non-alcoholic beverage and a bottle of seasoning from a vehicle in a crash May 1 on U.S. 60/84 west of Melrose.

“The crash involved two vehicles and took over one hour to extricate the victim from his vehicle,” according to the release. “The victim received severe injuries and was airlifted from the scene to a Lubbock...hospital.”

Waller said Elam was among first responders working the crash scene when he allegedly stole the items.

Clovis City Manager Larry Fry said Elam remains a city employee but declined any other comment, saying it was a personnel matter.