Pa. Man Steals Ambulance to Drive to Chicago
Jan. 09--Police in Rostraver, Westmoreland County, arrested a homeless man who admitted stealing an ambulance early Thursday in Swissvale in an attempt to drive to Chicago.
Rostraver Police observed Jonathan David Miracle, 19, standing at the open driver's-side door of an ambulance from Eastern Area Pre-Hospital Services, parked outside the BFS filling station on Route 51 about 2:20 a.m. The ambulance was reported stolen from Swissvale, and Miracle was not wearing typical Emergency Medical Services clothing.
After being arrested, Miracle admitted to taking the ambulance, said Rostraver Police Chief Greg Reseter. Miracle told investigators he was trying to get back to the Chicago area, where he has family.
The ambulance was fully stocked with medications and supplies, including narcotics, but none of it appeared to have been disturbed, Reseter said.
State police also were investigating an accident that may have involved Miracle and the ambulance elsewhere in Westmoreland County. Rostraver police charged Miracle with receiving stolen property, and Swissvale police will charge him with stealing the ambulance. State police may file additional charges related to the accident, Reseter said.
Matthew Santoni is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5625 or msantoni@tribweb.com.
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