Duo carjack ambulance in Philadelphia, throw driver out of vehicle
Police were able to track the stolen ambulance and arrested one suspect.
Two men jumped into a private ambulance and drove off with the operator in the back early Monday before throwing the driver out of the vehicle during a struggle in Philadelphia's Logan section, police said.
The 32-year-old ambulance driver was taken to Einstein Medical Center for treatment of a shoulder injury. Police later took one suspect into custody.
Police gave this account:
About 2:40 a.m., a man jumped into an idling Healthfleet ambulance at 12th and Louden Streets while the driver was in the back. The operator's partner was away from the ambulance getting something to eat.
After driving a block, the carjacker stopped to let the second suspect into the ambulance.
The ambulance operator tried to get out of the vehicle and started struggling with the intruder in the passenger seat.
At 12th and Rockland Streets, a block away, the carjackers threw the ambulance driver out. He called police and his dispatcher.
The ambulance company started tracking the vehicle and police ultimately stopped it at 11th Street and Rockland. By that time, one of the men had gotten out the ambulance.
Police arrested the 42-year-old man who was behind the wheel of the ambulance and took him to Northwest Detectives for questioning.
Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said the suspect appeared to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. His name has not been released.