Patient steals ambulance in Santa Rosa

(KRON) — An ambulance was stolen in Santa Rosa while paramedics responded to a medical emergency call Wednesday night, according to the Sonoma County Fire District. The incident unfolded at 8:40 p.m. when emergency crews responded to a 911 medical emergency call from Russian River Pub on 725 4th Street.

The ambulance paramedic was with the patient outside of the vehicle while the ambulance emergency medical technician was in the back of the vehicle, Sonoma County FD said. The patient then suddenly ran and jumped into the driver’s seat of the ambulance before speeding away from the scene. The EMT was still in the back of the ambulance during the vehicle theft.

The Santa Rosa Police Department pursued the stolen ambulance until spike strips were used to bring the vehicle to a halt. The suspect was subsequently arrested.

“We are so thankful that our crew members were not injured in this incident,” Sonoma County FD said.