By Matthew Reisen and Maddy Hayden
Albuquerque Journal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Police arrested a man who they say stole an ambulance from Presbyterian Hospital early Saturday morning and got into a pursuit with officers before spike belts were used to flatten the tires and stop him.
David Neher, also known as David Sanders, 40, is charged with aggravated eluding, criminal damage to property and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
Albuquerque police spokesman Tanner Tixier said Neher stole the ambulance around 3 a.m. from the Presbyterian Hospital in Downtown Albuquerque.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, police tried to pull over Neher, near Jefferson and Zuni SE, but he fled—driving only 30 mph—as officers pursued him.
“Through great communication and coordination, supervisors were able to deploy two different spike belts, disabling both front tires,” Tixier said.
He said the ambulance “finally” came to a stop at University and Central SE and Neher was arrested.
Tixier did not say how Neher was able to steal the ambulance. Tixier could not be reached for comment Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Presbyterian Hospital could not comment on the case or say whether Neher had been a patient at the hospital.
Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal