The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Georgia man was taken to jail after the authorities said he stole an ambulance from a gas station while allegedly intoxicated and later tried to enter restricted areas of a hospital.
According to a police report, hospital security first noticed the man attempting to enter through an Emergency Medical Services entrance at a local hospital. An off-duty officer working security reportedly told him he could not use that entrance and directed him to the main entrance instead. The man allegedly continued trying other secured doors, including one connected to the pediatrics area.
As the man walked away from the hospital, the officer heard a dispatch call about an ambulance theft involving a suspect matching his description. Another officer arrived to assist, and the man was stopped nearby. When asked for identification, he allegedly could not provide a valid driver’s license.
The report stated the man continued pacing around while officers attempted to speak with him, so he was placed in handcuffs while they investigated further. Officers later learned his driver’s license had been suspended because he failed to appear in court.
An ambulance driver later came to the hospital and identified the man as the person she said took the emergency vehicle from a nearby gas station. An EMS supervisor also reportedly provided video that showed the man driving the ambulance while drinking a beer and not wearing a seatbelt.
During the investigation, officers said they noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the suspect and observed that his eyes appeared glossy and bloodshot. The man allegedly admitted multiple times that he had taken the ambulance, at one point claiming he did it “for the purpose of saving the world.”
He was arrested and booked into jail on charges including felony theft by taking, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, no seatbelt, and open container violations.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.