By EMS1 Staff
COLUMBUS, Ga. — A paramedic was robbed by a Salvation Army volunteer bell ringer, according to police.
WLTZ.com reported that Lori Rambo, with EMS Care Ambulance, was responding to a call for help inside a Piggly Wiggly grocery store Saturday.
“We pulled up in the fire lane in front of Piggly Wiggly and went inside and checked on the guy and we weren’t in there more than five minutes and I came out and my bag was gone,” Rambo said.
Her purse and cellphone were stolen, but she was able to identify the bell ringer as a potential suspect.
Surveillance footage showed the bell ringer stashing the paramedic’s belongings inside the store. The bell ringer, Fabian Britt, was charged with theft by taking and entering an auto.
“As a paramedic, you know if you surprise me you’ve done something because I’ve seen a lot of things but I was really surprised and sad,” Rambo said.
A spokesperson for the Salvation Army apologized, saying the incident is not “in line” with what the Salvation Army represents.