Cops: Drunken man stole ambulance to go Christmas shopping

Police say Walter Campbell Jr. stole and ambulance to go Christmas shopping.

Police say Walter Campbell Jr. stole and ambulance to go Christmas shopping.

Police say Walter Campbell Jr. had one thing on his mind when he stole an ambulance: Christmas shopping.

Campbell was on his third beer when they found him Tuesday outside North Georgia Medical Transport on South Milledge Avenue, Athens-Clarke County police said.

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Police say Campbell got inside the ambulance after a maintenance worker stepped away to take his break.

When the maintenance worker came back, he saw Campbell in the driver’s seat putting the ambulance in reverse and yelled for him to stop, according to a police report.

Campbell stopped, went forward and parked the ambulance back in its spot, police said. He then got out and walked to the side of a nearby building.

Officers on the scene said Campbell admitted he attempted to drive the ambulance because he had money and wanted to go Christmas shopping.

Police charged Campbell with theft by taking, crossing the guard line and marijuana possession. He was also cited for DUI and violating the open container law.

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