Crime & Safety

Man Charged with Stealing Ambulance, Leaving it Near Marengo

Paul Chandler, 51, of St. Charles, is accused of driving off in an ambulance from the emergency room parking lot at a Rockford hospital.

By Ted Schnell, Editor

A St. Charles man was arrested near Marengo late Wednesday in connection with the brazen theft of an ambulance from Rockford Memorial Hospital earlier in the evening, Rockford TV station 23 WIFR News reports.

Paul Chandler, 51, was arrested about 11 p.m., about six hours after a Metro Medical Services ambulance was stolen from the Rockford hospital’s emergency room parking lot about 5 p.m., the TV station reports.

According to 23 WIFR News, Chandler walked up and got into the ambulance’s driver’s seat. The crew of the vehicle, which was running and unattended, were nearby filling out paperwork when they reportedly saw Chandler.

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When the paramedics tried to stop him, authorities told 23 WIFRNews that the driver aimed the ambulance at them, forcing them to jump out of the way.

Later, the ambulance was seen southbound on Randall Road headed toward Elgin, according to 23 WIFR News, which also reported that Chandler was arrested on Anthony Road near Marengo in McHenry County.

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