I purposely left the guys name out of this post. He's in enough trouble already without any more embarrassment.
PITTSVILLE, Wis. (WSAW) - A suspect who stole an ambulance with a patient inside was arrested after a multiagency chase that ended in a field west of Pittsville Tuesday night.
The Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department was responding to a call at 5:30 p.m. The ambulance was parked in the city while crews provided care to a patient.
The naked individual, who authorities later learned had been evading law enforcement, got into the ambulance driver’s seat. Two paramedics were in the patient compartment with the patient at the time.
One paramedic immediately got out of the ambulance to assess the situation and attempt to engage the person. At that point, the thief began driving away. The second paramedic attempted to prevent the vehicle from moving, but was forced out of the ambulance.
Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker tells NewsChannel 7 that Wisconsin Rapids police initiated the chase after the ambulance was reported stolen from the city. The chase headed west on State Highway 73, with Wood County sheriff’s deputies assisting.
Wisconsin Rapids officers attempted to end the chase by deploying tire deflation devices, but they were unsuccessful. As the chase entered Pittsville, officers from the Pittsville police department were ultimately successful in stopping the ambulance by using stop sticks in a field just west of Pittsville.
The driver refused multiple commands to exit the ambulance. Because of the urgent concern for the patient still in the back of the ambulance, Wisconsin Rapids officers deployed a drone to safely observe the driver from a distance. Then a coordinated team of officers and deputies approached the ambulance and took the driver into custody without incident.
Arrested after chase in stolen ambulance.
The patient who was inside the ambulance during the theft is safe and was transported to a hospital. The transport was not considered an emergency.Booked into the Wood County Jail. The following charges are being requested through the District Attorney’s Office:
- Disorderly Conduct
- Lewd and Lascivious Behavior
- Operating a Motor Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent
- Obstructing Emergency Personnel
- Recklessly Endangering Safety
- Threats to Law Enforcement
- Operating While intoxicated – 3rd Offense
