A man being treated by paramedics for hallucinations in downtown L.A. was taken into custody Friday night after he allegedly stole the vehicle and crashed it, causing two people to sustain minor injuries, authorities said.
Los Angles Fire Department paramedics were assisting a man in the back of an ambulance when he ripped the IVs out of his arm, jumped out the back of the vehicle and fled on foot, Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Will Batista said.
The incident occurred in the 200 block of South San Pedro Street (map) around 7:20 p.m.
The man was being treated for hallucinations and allegedly said he had taken “spice,” on-scene officials said.
The paramedics informed LAPD officials about the incident then began cleaning the back of the ambulance, Batista said.
The patient later returned to the vehicle and entered the driver’s seat before the paramedics were able to lock the doors.
The paramedics then exited the ambulance and the man drove away.
A fire department captain who was in a nearby LAFD vehicle and had previously worked in the police department pursued the ambulance.
After a brief pursuit, the ambulance crashed into a minivan near Beverly Boulevard and Union Place (map), less than two miles from where it was originally stolen, officials said.
The driver of the minivan was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital and was listed in stable condition, Batista said.
The man who allegedly stole the ambulance was expected to be charged with carjacking and felony evading, officials said.
It was not known who originally called the paramedics.