A Colorado man is accused of attempting to steal an ambulance while EMS workers gave aid to a patient inside.
According to a criminal complaint, around 6:36 p.m. April 28, Rio Rancho Police were dispatched to the Smith’s at 1000 N.M. 528 about the attempted theft of an ambulance. Officers arrived and detained 37-year-old Keith Emerson of Aurora, Colorado.
According to the complaint, Malory Norton of Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue told police that as she and other EMS personnel were working with a patient inside their ambulance, she heard a “thud” as if someone hit the side of the vehicle, followed by the opening of the driver’s side door. Norton told RRPD that when she stuck her head into the front of the ambulance, she saw Emerson place the vehicle into gear and attempt to drive away.
Norton said she was able to push Emerson out of the ambulance and shift it back into park. The criminal complaint says Norton told police she had to kick Emerson out of the ambulance after he reached in and put the vehicle in gear a second time. She told police that other EMS workers and bystanders attempted to detain Emerson until officers arrived.
When RRPD officer Antonio Naranjo arrived at the scene, Smith’s employees told him that the suspect was inside the grocery store eating sushi that he had not purchased, according to the complaint.
Emerson was taken to the Sandoval County Detention Center and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, injuring or tampering with a motor vehicle and shoplifting.