Suspect taken into custody after allegedly stealing ambulance
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Police said a man was drunk when he stole an ambulance in Pittsburgh and drove away, stopping only after troopers deployed spike strips.
According to Pittsburgh Public Safety, just before 4:30 a.m. on Friday, medics were responding to a call on West Sycamore Street in Mt. Washington. As they were treating a patient, police said a man stole the ambulance and fled.
He drove the ambulance out of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania State Police said troopers picked up the chase in the area of Interstate 376 in Robinson Township, using spike strips to deflate the ambulance's tires.
Police said the driver refused to pull over even as the tires lost more air and sparks flew from underneath the front of the ambulance.
At one point, the driver swerved at the police cruiser, forcing it off the roadway, officials said. Then just past the Hopewell exit, the driver lost control and sideswiped a guardrail.
Troopers said 32-year-old Vincent Scrbacic of Irondale, Ohio resisted arrest while being taken into custody. Police said he was also found to be under the influence of alcohol.
Scrbacic is awaiting arraignment in the Allegheny County Jail on multiple charges, including DUI, receiving stolen property, fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest.