Viral video: Desperate thief steals ambulance; police nab suspect after 100km high-speed chase

Hyderabad: In a dramatic high-speed chase spanning over 100 kilometers, Telangana Police apprehended a thief who stole a 108 ambulance from a hospital in Hayatnagar on Saturday.

As reported by PTI News, the ambulance was stolen while its driver and technician were inside the hospital admitting an accident victim. The suspect seized the opportunity to flee with the emergency vehicle, triggering an immediate police response.

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The chase, a real-life action sequence, saw the thief speed towards Vijayawada in the stolen, siren-blaring ambulance. The high-speed pursuit through heavy traffic caused chaos on the highway. Tragically, the chase took a dangerous turn when the ambulance struck pollice offcier, leaving him critically injured

Despite the collision, the suspect continued at high speed, eventually ramming into a toll gate at Korlapahad. Police set up a blockade using lorries near Tekumatla in Suryapet Mandal. On spotting the roadblock, the thief attempted to veer off but lost control, crashing into bushes. Officers promptly apprehended him.

A video of the incident, including the ambulance evading lorries at a toll plaza, went viral on social media, bringing attention to the brazen act.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused has a history of criminal activity, with multiple theft cases registered at various police stations. Authorities are interrogating him to ascertain the motive behind the theft and are reviewing his involvement in previous offenses.

This case marks a rare instance of an ambulance being hijacked in the region, with police commended for their swift action in recovering the vehicle and arresting the suspect. Further investigations are ongoing.