By EMS1 Staff
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A man was charged with auto theft after trying to steal an ambulance from a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Cleveland Banner reported that David Cook allegedly jumped in the Bradley County EMS ambulance with two EMS providers inside.
“The driver needed something, so they stopped at the Wal-Mart and he went inside,” Bradley County EMS Director Shawn Fairbanks said. “He said, ‘We have to go now. He put the ambulance in reverse and tried to drive away, while the two in the ambulance kept telling him to stop.”
An EMS provider in the passenger seat reached over, put the ambulance in park and ripped the keys out of the ignition switch. She also called 911 from the radio. The driver, who was inside the store, ran out to help.
Cook remained in the ambulance crew’s custody until police arrived. He was transported to the hospital before being taken into custody.