By Erin Green
Kerrville Daily Times
KERRVILLE, Texas — An Albuquerque, New Mexico, man accused of stealing an ambulance to avoid police is behind bars at the Kerr County jail.
Kerrville Police Department public information officer Juan Trevizo said officers were called to Peterson Regional Medical Center about 3:15 a.m. Monday, where officials said an ambulance had been stolen.
Officers located the ambulance in the 600 block of Main Street, where it then turned north onto Earl Garrett Street.
According to police, the driver, 20-year-old Samuel Nuanez of Albuquerque, continued driving after the officer turned on his lights and sirens. Nuanez continued to evade police, disregarding stop signs and traffic lights and driving above the speed limit, according to reports.
According to Trevizo, Nuanez almost lost control of the vehicle twice due to his speed.
He said the police threw down spikes at the intersection of Harper Road and Junction Highway. Nuanez reportedly continued southbound on Guadalupe Street, stopping in the 600 block. He then left the ambulance and fled on foot to the back of a residence, Trevizo said. There, the police caught up to him in the backyard of a home.
According to the police report, when asked why he took the ambulance, Nuanez said it had been left running, and he had no way to return home. It is unclear whether Nuanez was with someone at the hospital or walking in the area.
Nuanez was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest with a vehicle and reckless driving.
He is in jail on bonds totaling $21,500.
Copyright 2016 the Kerrville Daily Times