By Laura French
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A Pennsylvania man allegedly tried to steal an ambulance that had just transported him to the hospital on Wednesday.
Police said Elijah Rivers, 20, was involved in an altercation Wednesday afternoon that led to him being pepper-sprayed, according to The Citizen’s Voice. It is not clear if Rivers was pepper-sprayed by police or another person.
Rivers reportedly acted erratic while in the ambulance and, upon arriving at the hospital, jumped into the rig’s driver’s seat, police said. Authorities reported that Rivers unsuccessfully attempted to put the rig in gear, then fled on foot
Police later located Rivers and took him into custody. Local 21 News reports that Rivers told police “If I could have gotten the ambulance in gear, I would have been gone.”
Rivers was charged with theft and disorderly conduct, and his bail was set at $5,000. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 8.