EAST LAKE, Fla. – It’s a first for Columbia County deputies. According to the Sheriff’s Office, an East Lake man stole an ambulance and led them on a pursuit that ended on the front lawn of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 11:45 p.m. Saturday, a deputy was assisting a paramedic with someone they said was experiencing an altered mental state. This happened in the area of SE Baya Ave. and S.R. 100.
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The man, identified as Stanley Williams, 35, was able to get into the interior of the ambulance and drive away from the scene.
The deputy pursued the ambulance and informed other deputies that it was stolen. During the pursuit, the ambulance hit a curb causing damage to a tire.
Williams drove the ambulance across the front lawn of the CCSO Operations Center, before finally stopping near the front of the main entrance to the building.
He was then taken into custody without further incident. Other than minor cosmetic damage to the lawn, there was no damage to sheriff’s office property.
“It’s not every day a pursuit ends at our front door,” Sheriff Mark Hunter said. “This just goes to show that we never know what we will encounter from one moment to the next. I’m glad nobody was hurt and the suspect was not able to pose a greater risk to our community.”
Williams was admitted to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. Charges are being filed to the State Attorney’s Office for grand theft and fleeing and eluding.