Ambulance stolen from URHCS; suspect arrested (Wichita Falls)

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Ambulance stolen from URHCS; suspect arrested

July 4, 2004

An American Medical Response ambulance crew got a surprise early Saturday

morning when they were dispatched to a wreck - their ambulance was missing from

the driveway of United Regional Health Care System 11th Street campus.

Police say someone stole the ambulance and took it on a joyride through several

front yards before slamming it into a tree - prompting the call for an

ambulance.

A second ambulance was sent to the scene, said , vice president of

AMR operations in North Texas and Oklahoma.

The stolen ambulance was discovered in the 2100 block of Yale Avenue.

The driver abandoned it and fled on foot. Police found him hiding in a nearby

garbage bin.

He was arrested on suspicion of theft $20,000 to $100,000, criminal trespass,

driving with invalid license, driving while intoxicated and obstruction or

retaliation, the police report said.

No injuries were reported, but the $92,000 ambulance was un-drivable,

said.

" We are still looking into whether the crews acted in accordance with policy, "

said. " The policy requires that vehicles should remained locked when they

are outside the view of our crews. "

Before the theft, the AMR crew had just transported a patient to the 11th Street

campus and was inside filling out paperwork.

The incident was a first for Wichita Falls, said.