A chaotic scene unfolded on the Tri-State Tollway this Tuesday after a private ambulance, with a medic still inside, was hijacked from a Portillo's restaurant parking lot in Niles, Illinois. According to CBS News, the Niles Police Department received notification just before 4 p.m. about the stolen vehicle and the subsequent police chase that ensued on the highway as the thief attempted to flee.
The suspect, only described by police as a male, made away with the running Lifeline ambulance and plunged onto the Tri-State Tollway triggering a pursuit as the thief activated the ambulance's lights and sirens in a desperate bid to navigate through the intense traffic caused by ongoing roadwork the chase ultimately proving futile as there was simply no room on the shoulders for other vehicles to give way. In the dramatic turn of events, authorities were quick to act, coordinating to halt the stolen ambulance and pull the suspect out from the driver's seat, as reported by WGN-TV, bringing an end to the short-lived escape attempt.
The situation took another turn when Illinois State Police and several agencies intervened, utilizing spike strips to deflate all four tires of the rogue ambulance near I-294 and Ogden Avenue. This decisive action brought the vehicle to a stop and led to the apprehension of the suspect, who was then transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, authorities explained.
The medics, while trapped in the back of the ambulance during the ordeal, managed to stay unharmed throughout, and no other injuries were reported from this incident. The Niles Police Department confirmed that the vehicle and personnel were secured without further complication, as a full investigation into this audacious theft continues. Further details on the suspect's motives or potential charges are expected to be released by the Niles Police Department as their investigation progresses.
