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October 03, 2011

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Drunk man steals Chicago ambulance, crashes into cars

One of two paramedics assigned to the ambulance was inside a hospital while the other was outside in back of the vehicle

By Rosemary Soboland and James Scalzitti
The Chicago Sun-Times

 
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CHICAGO — A 36-year-old intoxicated Avondale man with no criminal history is accused of jumping behind the wheel of an ambulance and driving off with it, making it about a mile before crashing into four parked cars and causing more than $100,000 damage early Sunday, police said.

Juan J. Hernandez of the 3600 block of West Belmont, was charged with driving while under the influence, criminal damage to government property, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, reckless driving and failure to carry a driver's license, according to a police News Affairs statement.

The bizarre incident unfolded about 1:40 a.m. as the Chicago Fire Department ambulance was parked at Norwegian American Hospital, 2900 W. Cortez, police said.

One of two paramedics assigned to the ambulance was inside the hospital while the other was outside in back of the vehicle, according to Shakespeare District police Lt. Michael Mulkerin.

"He had just shut its doors, and then he hears the transmission shifting gears. He said: 'What the hell - where's my ambulance going,' because he knew no one was inside," said Mulkerin.

The paramedic called 911, and police arrested Hernandez in the 2500 block of West Cortland, about a mile and a half north from where it was taken.

Hernandez was taken back to Norwegian American Hospital in good condition and was treated for minor injuries he suffered when he crashed the ambulance, police said.

Copyright 2011 Sun-Times Media, LLC

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