Ambulance Stolen and Crashed in Meridian
In a surprising incident in Meridian, an ambulance was stolen from outside the emergency department at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center and subsequently crashed into a nearby office building. The event occurred early Thursday morning, leaving the building damaged and boarded up, with broken glass still visible at the scene the following day.
Incident Details
The ambulance theft took place shortly after the paramedics had delivered a patient to the hospital. Canyon County Paramedic Chief Michael Stowell expressed disbelief at the theft, noting that the crew was inside the hospital for only a brief period. Upon returning, they discovered the ambulance missing.
The suspect drove the ambulance into an office building near the hospital. Reports indicate that there was an attempt to set the vehicle on fire, but the suspect fled as first responders arrived at the scene. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
Impact on Emergency Services
The theft temporarily removed the paramedic team from service, as they were required to assist with the investigation. The ambulance was extricated from the building on Thursday night and is currently a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Security Measures and Investigation
Chief Stowell confirmed that the ambulance was equipped with cameras, and the footage has been handed over to the Meridian Police Department. This footage is expected to play a significant role in identifying the suspect and understanding the sequence of events.
Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea described the incident as a deliberate and violent attack. The office building involved recently began leasing space to the Department of Homeland Security, which has been a point of contention within the community. Despite some public comments downplaying the severity of the property damage, Chief Basterrechea emphasized the seriousness of the attack.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation is being conducted with the possibility of pursuing the strongest charges available. Meridian police are collaborating with the FBI and other agencies to ensure a thorough examination of the incident. At this stage, it is too early to determine if the case will be classified as domestic terrorism. This decision will be made later in the prosecution phase once more information is available.
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