An Asheboro man is accused of slipping into a parked ambulance outside Randolph Health early Wednesday, driving off in the rig, and dragging law enforcement into a more-than-50-mile chase that ended at a Pinehurst hospital. Deputies arrested the suspect at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, and authorities say no one was hurt. The bizarre joyride has left local EMS leaders and hospital staff fielding hard questions about how a rescue vehicle was left vulnerable long enough for someone to take it. Investigators say they are still collecting evidence.
According to the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, the driver was identified as 27-year-old Allen Morgan. Randolph County EMS told investigators the ambulance had just dropped off a patient shortly before 6 a.m. when Morgan climbed into the driver's seat and sped away, Charlotte Observer reported. The pursuit stretched more than 50 miles across multiple counties before officers caught up with Morgan at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.
Chase Ended At Moore Regional In Pinehurst
The pursuit wrapped up at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, where hospital staff and deputies helped take the man into custody. FirstHealth lists Moore Regional at 155 Memorial Drive in Pinehurst. Hospital representatives did not immediately offer details beyond what law enforcement released.
Charges And Booking
Randolph County officials charged Morgan with felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, and multiple misdemeanors. He is being held under a $15,000 bond, according to the Charlotte Observer. Authorities said no sheriff's office vehicles were damaged and no injuries were reported during the chase.
Not The First Ambulance Theft In The Region
While incidents like this are unusual, ambulance thefts and patient takeovers have popped up elsewhere in North Carolina. In June 2024, WXII reported that a patient in Rockingham County allegedly stole an ambulance and slammed into a mailbox before officers deployed stop sticks to end that pursuit. Episodes like that one have pushed local EMS agencies to reexamine how they secure vehicles and manage patient transfers.
Randolph County Sheriff's Office investigators say the case remains active and that they plan to present their findings to prosecutors for formal charging decisions. Local officials are asking anyone with information or video related to the incident to contact investigators.
