A 24-year-old man is set to appear in the Ventersdorp magistrate’s court on Monday after allegedly stealing an ambulance in North West while a patient was still inside.
Police spokesperson Col. Adéle Myburgh reported that the suspect was apprehended early Friday morning in Tshing Location, near Ventersdorp.
“The arrest followed an incident late Thursday night at approximately 11:55 pm, when an ambulance was reportedly stolen outside the local hospital,” said Myburgh.
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Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) personnel had just placed a patient in the ambulance for transfer to another hospital and were in the process of handing the patient over when the suspect allegedly took control of the vehicle and drove away with the patient inside.
Police were quickly alerted and tracked the ambulance to Tshing, Extension 5, where it was intercepted and the suspect detained. Thankfully, the patient was unharmed.
The suspect now faces charges of motor vehicle theft. Acting North West police commissioner Maj-Gen Patrick Asaneng praised the police for their swift response, which ensured the ambulance and patient were safely recovered.
