Florida man takes joyride in stolen ambulance: Cops
Share and Follow

Inset: Michael J. Esquilin (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Ambulance in Tampa, Florida, Esquilin allegedly stole (Florida Highway Patrol).

A Florida man who was apparently upset he wasn’t receiving a free ride home from the hospital decided to steal an ambulance and lead cops on a police chase, according to officials.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded around 8:30 p.m. Saturday to HCA South Tampa hospital after a man later identified as 43-year-old Michael J. Esquilin allegedly stole a Tampa Fire Rescue ambulance. Troopers spotted the stolen ambulance within 10 minutes near South Esperanza Avenue and West Bay to Bay Boulevard and attempted to pull him over.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Don’t remember anything’: Man accused of forcing couple on their way to Walmart into deadly crash because he thought his ex was in the car claims to have amnesia

But Esquilin apparently was not done. He fled from the attempted traffic stop and blew through several stop signs, all while the ambulance’s emergency lights were turned off, troopers said. Esquilin then started driving the wrong way down a city street and narrowly avoided crashing into oncoming traffic, according to cops.

Eventually, Tampa police officers stopped him South Hubert Avenue and West Empedrado Street, troopers said. However, Esquilin allegedly decided to spend some more time in the ambulance. He swigged the rest of his beer and then held on to the steering wheel as cops tried to pull him out, troopers said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Daycare Owner Faces Charges Following Death of 4-Month-Old During Nap

Background: The day care center in Red Bay, Ala., where a 4-month-old…

Man Fatally Attacks Girlfriend’s Brother During FaceTime Call

Left: Robert Carrasco (Bexar County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Jason Banda (San Antonio…

Pennsylvania Woman Escapes Alleged Captor, Gets Abducted Again the Following Day

A Pennsylvania woman managed to outwit her alleged kidnapper, fleeing to a…

Son Arrested After Mom’s Spinal Cord Discovered in Backyard Burn Pit

Inset: Nicholas T. Yates (Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Authorities investigating the…

Son Who Killed Mother in ‘Moment of Rage’ Receives Sentencing

Inset: Dallas Scott Gilbert (Primera Police Department). Background: The street in Texas…

On-Duty Cop Stalks, Assaults Ex-Girlfriend WHILE IN UNIFORM

A federal grand jury has indicted a Tennessee cop on charges of…

Young Boy Finds Support After Tragic Loss of Mother and Sister

What began as just another school day in Las Vegas changed instantly…

HORROR 911 AUDIO OF TRAIN-STAB VICTIM REVEAL IRYNA’S FINAL MOMENTS, ‘BLOODY & HOPELESS’

A video shows Iryna getting on the train, taking a seat, and…