Authorities in California arrested a 34-year-old woman Monday after she stole an ambulance from a hospital in Stockton and led officers on a chase that reached speeds as high as 90 mph, according to police.
Police were called just after 6 p.m. to respond to a reported ambulance theft at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Officers found the missing NORCAL Ambulance vehicle about 3 miles from the hospital, near the intersection of E Bianchi Road and Townehome Drive. Police said that when authorities tried to stop the vehicle, the driver refused, instead leading them on a 10-mile chase.
Officers ended their pursuit for safety reasons after the ambulance thief took the vehicle onto the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, police said. Troopers with the California Highway Patrol took over the chase, following the ambulance until the driver made a U-turn in the center median of I-5 near Walnut Grove, officials said.
Troopers used a spike strip to stop the ambulance as it headed south on I-5, authorities said. The ambulance stopped in the center median and the driver was taken into custody, officials said.
Police identified the suspect as Natasha Scott, 34. She was arrested Monday on charges that include stealing a vehicle and evading police.
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