Suspect steals ambulance and leads police on highway pursuit

The California High Patrol pursued a stolen ambulance near the Orange-Los Angeles County border Tuesday night.

The suspect drove down the CA-91 Freeway after allegedly stealing the ambulance from Orange City Fire Department personnel at Foothill Regional Medical Center in Tustin. According to Fire Chief Robert Stefano, the suspect stole the ambulance as paramedics dropped off a patient at the hospital.

After learning about the theft, police started chasing the car near Downey. During the entire ordeal, the ambulance's rear doors were wide open and a side door slid ajar several times.

The suspect stopped on the side of the southbound 710 Freeway at East Carson Street just north of where the road splits to the 405 Freeway. He stepped out of the vehicle and surrendered to officers without further incident.

They say that the man was inside of the hospital before he exited through the ambulance bay and took off with the vehicle.

An OCFD battalion chief had attempted to call one of the firefighter's cell phones during the incident, expecting to speak with his coworker. Instead, the suspect picked up the phone.

He told the battalion chief, "I just had to get out of there."

No further information was immediately available.