Stolen Ogden Ambulance Recovered; Police Searching For Person Of Interest

OGDEN, Utah – Officials with the Ogden Fire Department said an ambulance, which was stolen while crews responded to a medical emergency, has been recovered.

OFD Deputy Fire Chief Shelby Willis said the vehicle was taken around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Crews had responded to 468 3rd Street for a medical emergency when they parked and exited Ambulance 3 to enter the facility.

“Medical care was provided to the patient and the patient was packaged for transport,” Willis said in a press release. “As the crew attempted to return to the ambulance with the patient, the crew found that the ambulance had been stolen. The crew arranged for another ambulance to transport the patient to the hospital and the Ogden Police Department was notified.”

Police began to track the ambulance’s location and asked for the public’s help through a Facebook post.

Around 8:30 a.m. Sunday, a citizen contacted police and said they found the ambulance in a neighbor’s backyard.

“We are grateful for the assistance of the citizen that noticed a public safety vehicle out of place. OPD located the ambulance without incident,” Willis said.

Michael Slater, OFD’s deputy fire chief of medical operation, said the ambulance was not damaged and no equipment taken.

Officials did not release a reason for the theft.

While the vehicle was recovered, paramedics said the theft compromised patient care.

“The delay in patient care while waiting for a second ambulance to arrive could have had a negative outcome for this patient in need,” officials said. “In addition, when a public safety vehicle is in public purview, it is understood that the driver and responders are trained public servants. Driving an emergency vehicle requires training and when driven improperly creates a dangerous situation for the unknowing citizens who share the roadway. Fortunately, the best possible outcome was realized.”

Police were searching for a person of interest in connection with the theft.