In a bizarre series of events on Saturday night, a Florida man named Michael J. Esquilin, 43, was arrested for stealing an ambulance from HCA South Tampa Hospital and leading authorities on a chase that lasted several miles. ABC Action News reported that the incident began at approximately 8:28 p.m. when the Tampa Fire Rescue ambulance went missing.

The Florida Highway Patrol said that hospital staff denied Esquilin a ride home in the emergency vehicle, so he stole the ambulance. Ten minutes later, troopers found him. Esquilin initiated a chase after fleeing an attempted traffic stop, driving dangerously on the wrong side of the road and running through several stop signs. Running several stop signs and driving on the wrong side of the road, he nearly collided with several other vehicles, according to a report by ABC Action News.

Esquilin eventually brought the ambulance to a halt at the intersection of South Hubert Avenue and West Empedrado Street, where troopers observed him finishing his beer before apprehending him. As stated in the FOX 13 News coverage, the chase was documented on the trooper's dashcam, highlighting Esquilin's perilous maneuvers during the pursuit.

While being taken into custody, Esquilin resisted arrest by reportedly holding on to the steering wheel of the stolen ambulance. He later confessed to the troopers, having been drinking for the past two days, that he commandeered the ambulance after a request for a ride home was refused by the emergency personnel.

Esquilin now faces several charges, including burglary of an emergency vehicle, grand theft of an emergency vehicle, fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended, DUI, and resisting arrest.