THOMASVILLE — The man suspected of stealing an ambulance from Archbold Memorial Hospital is on the lam.

The suspect’s joy ride was not lengthy — from the rear of the hospital on Mimosa Drive to the 300 block of Tuxedo Drive in a five-minute time period.

The ambulance, which transported a patient from Colquitt County to Archbold, was parked at the emergency entrance of the hospital when a police officer at Archbold was notified by employees about a suspicious man outside the building.

“He just go into an ambulance and drove away,” said Lt. Toby Knifer, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander.

Police watched a hospital video and saw the man go to the unsecured ambulance and drive away. Ambulance emergency personnel were inside the hospital when the ambulance was stolen.

The 2007 Chevrolet ambulance wrecked at the edge of woods on Tuxedo. It struck a utility pole and knocked out power, Knifer said.

“The driver fled before the ambulance was found,” the commander said.

The suspect is described as a black male wearing blue shorts and a white shirt at the time of the 3:30 a.m. Saturday incident.

Police are attempting to identify the suspect. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820