In a turn of events that unfolded late Tuesday night at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, a Hiram man, having left the emergency room, took it upon himself to commandeer an ambulance. This 66-year-old man, identified as Patrick Dowling, was earlier brought to the hospital after responding officers found him at a Chardon home, inebriated and with vandalism in his wake, having punched a hole through a wall, reported by the Cleveland News.
Post-evaluation, still under the influence, Dowling fled the hospital, spotted the unattended rescue vehicle, and, with visions of escape, he leapt into the driver's seat and sped off into the night. The Geauga County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand, promptly launched an effort to reclaim the stolen vehicle, ultimately catching up to Dowling several miles away in Newbury Township, according to a statement given by Sheriff Hildenbrand to Cleveland19.
Upon his apprehension, Dowling faced multiple charges, including grand theft auto and operating a vehicle under the influence. As Sheriff Hildenbrand pointed out to FOX8, "Fortunately, he didn’t hurt anyone, which is certainly something that could have happened." The sheriff further expressed relief that everything unfolded without physical harm to bystanders or property, and also noted Dowling's cooperative behavior during the arrest. The incident, jarring as it may be, concluded with no injuries - a fact for which law enforcement was thankful.
