Indiana Police Chase Stolen Ambulance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --

Indiana State Police said a man stole an Orange County E.M.S. ambulance that was parked at the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on State Street in New Albany at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sgt. Jerry Goodin said one of the crew members saw someone stealing the ambulance while they were on a break.

New Albany Police reported the ambulance stolen, according to a press release.

Goodin said an off duty trooper saw the ambulance a short time later heading north on Interstate 65 at the 10 mile marker in Clark County.

Troopers caught up to the stolen ambulance in Scott County and attempted to stop the vehicle.

The driver refused to stop and troopers pursued the vehicle into Jackson County, where stop sticks had been placed on the roadway, police said.

Investigators said the driver tried to avoid stop sticks and swerved, striking an Indiana State Police cruiser.

A nearby trooper fired several shots, striking the ambulance several times.

The driver of the ambulance continued north on I-65, crossing back and forth into the southbound lanes.

Troopers put down more stop sticks at the 49 mile marker. The ambulance hit the stops sticks but did not stop. It continued down the interstate where another set of stopsticks had been placed on the roadway.

The driver, identified as 43-year-old Larry Loughman, of Jeffersonville, eventually stopped the ambulance and was approached by police, according to a police report.

Goodin said Loughman would not comply with officer commands and had to be tased.

Loughman was taken to the Floyd County Jail and charged with auto theft. Charges are pending in Clark, Floyd, Scott and Jackson counties.

Goodin said no one was hurt during the pursuit.

Speeds reached up to 75 miles per hour. The investigation is ongoing.

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