A Novi man accused of hijacking an ambulance in October 2025 has been bound over to Oakland County Circuit Court after a series of district court hearings in June. While the case moves forward, the judge has ordered a tightly controlled supervised release that includes house arrest, psychiatric follow-up and medication conditions.
Judge Sets High Bond, House Arrest and Mental-Health Conditions
At a 52-1 District Court hearing on Tuesday, June 23, Judge David Law set Changlin Li’s bond at $200,000, with a 10% payment option. If released, Li will be on house arrest and allowed to leave only for medical and legal appointments and one weekly grocery trip.
The order also requires Li to see a psychiatrist within seven days of his release and then weekly after that. The court further directed the jail to provide seven days of medication upon release, if possible. The case has been bound over to Oakland County Circuit Court, where Li was arraigned on Wednesday, June 30, and a pretrial hearing is set for August 4, according to C&G Newspapers.
Defense Strategy and Forensic Findings
In court, defense attorney Joseph Xuereb highlighted that Li has no prior criminal history, has lost his engineering job since the incident and is currently receiving psychiatric treatment at the county jail. A forensic evaluation recommended a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity for the date in question, though the court has recorded that Li is now competent to stand trial.
“This clearly was a mental health issue,” Xuereb told the court, as reported by C&G Newspapers.
How the Ambulance Chase Unfolded
The chaotic episode began on October 24, 2025, when Medstar paramedics were treating crash victims in the 24000 block of Novi Road. Police say Li climbed into an ambulance at the scene and drove off, with both a paramedic and a patient still in the back.
The ambulance was pursued for several miles before it crashed at 8 Mile and Beck roads in Northville Township, where it caught fire. No one inside the ambulance suffered life-threatening injuries, but the vehicle itself was a total loss, according to ClickOnDetroit.
What Comes Next in Court
Prosecutors have charged Li with seven felonies, including carjacking. Under Michigan law, carjacking is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or for any term of years, underscoring the potential stakes Li faces, per the Michigan Legislature.
The defense and prosecutors are due back in circuit court for the August pretrial hearing, while questions about Li’s competency and criminal responsibility remain under review. Local agencies say the investigation into the October crash is still ongoing, so the legal and factual picture may continue to develop as the case heads toward trial.
