Columbia County, FL: A local man, Stanley Williams, found himself in a bizarre situation over the weekend when he unwittingly put an end to his own police chase by driving a stolen ambulance onto the lawn of the sheriff’s office.
Williams, 35, was arrested on Saturday night in Columbia County on charges of grand theft and fleeing and eluding. It all began when a deputy was called to assist emergency medical services with an individual who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, displaying signs of an “altered mental state.”
Amidst the commotion, Williams allegedly took control of the ambulance, setting off a pursuit involving local deputies. The ambulance’s tire was damaged when it hit a curb during the pursuit. The chase took an unexpected turn when Williams steered the stolen vehicle onto the grounds of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center. He ironically stopped near the front entrance.
Sheriff Mark Hunter expressed surprise at the unusual turn of events, stating, “It’s not every day a pursuit ends at our front door.” Hunter also mentioned that the incident demonstrates that you can never predict what you’ll face from one moment to the next. Hunter added that he was thankful no one was injured and that the suspect wasn’t able to pose a greater danger to the community.
Fortunately, the incident caused only minor damage to the lawn and did not harm any of the sheriff’s office property. The ambulance also suffered minor damage due to hitting the curb. Williams was subsequently arrested and taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Charges are being filed and will be referred to the State Attorney’s Office.
Law enforcement authorities are continuing to investigate how Williams managed to gain control of the ambulance. Further details surrounding the incident and Williams’ motivation remain unclear. As the case unfolds, authorities are expected to gather more information to shed light on the extraordinary chain of events that allowed a man to steal the ambulance.
The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of law enforcement work and the need for constant vigilance.