Penticton RCMP nab man who stole ambulance, hid in neighbourhood bushes

Photo: Contributed

A man has been arrested after trying to steal an ambulance from the Penticton Regional Hospital on Tuesday morning.

According to the Penticton RCMP, police responded to a report that a man had made entry into the hospital area, getting into a parked ambulance and driving it away.

Patrolling officers soon located the ambulance abandoned just a few blocks away.

“Multiple officers quickly responded to the area,” Cst Dayne Lyons, Penticton RCMP media relations officer, said in a press release.

“Police Dog Services, Forensic Identification Services, Indigenous Policing Services, and patrol officers all hit the road to conduct patrols, conduct a dog track, lock down a scene and a perimeter, and analyze the recovered ambulance.”

About 45 minutes later, police received another call from a nearby neighbourhood saying there was a suspicious male hiding in the bushes near their house.

Police headed over to the nearby area and located the suspect male.

“Our officers worked extremely quickly to track down the ambulance and the suspect,” Lyons said.

We are also very appreciative of the community member noticing a person they found suspicious and calling police to report it. We are proud to work with the community to keep our city safe."

The male was arrested, held in custody, and charges of theft of a motor vehicle are being forwarded to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration.