Transient steals Southern California ambulance, injures 5 in pursuit, police say

A transient stole a San Gabriel Fire Department ambulance on Sunday, Dec. 31, and led police on a crash filled pursuit that injured five people before he was arrested, the San Gabriel Police Department said. The man, who is in his late 40s, stole the ambulance about 3:25 p.m. while it was on a call in the 700 block of Sunset Avenue, a police news release said.

No one was in the ambulance. Police found the ambulance and gave chase. The driver struck several other vehicles, resulting in minor injuries to five people. Three were hospitalized. The pursuit ended in the 2800 block of Canterbury Road in San Marino and the driver was arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto and felony evading.

The driver suffered minor injuries as well and was hospitalized. No police officers were reported injured. The ambulance was damaged and taken out of service..