Suspect arrested after theft of ambulance at KGH
Update (Tuesday, June 8, 2021):
A brief chase on Sunday, June 6, 2021, resulted in charges for a 24-year-old male after he stole an ambulance from outside the emergency room at Kingston General Hospital (KGH) and proceeded to drive eastbound on Highway 2.
At approximately 1:10 p.m. the accused male left the emergency room area of KGH. According to a release from Kingston Police, hospital staff alerted an Ontario Provincial Police officer who was at KGH in regards to an unrelated matter and the officer was able to catch up to the vehicle in the area of Ontario Street in downtown Kingston.
Kingston Police also responded to the scene and observed the stolen ambulance travelling eastbound on Ontario Street followed by the OPP cruiser, according to the release. An attempt was made by the OPP to pull the vehicle over however the driver fled the scene and continued eastbound on Highway 2.
The OPP officer and Kingston Police successfully initiated a second traffic stop and the driver was arrested at approximately 1:13 p.m. and taken in to custody by Kingston Police. According to the release, the accused provided false information in regards to his identification at the scene. A search incident to his arrest revealed that he was in possession of a cell phone belonging to one of the paramedics.
The accused male was subsequently transported to police headquarters where, after further investigation, police were able to confirm his actual identity. Police also learned that the accused was currently contravening multiple court-imposed conditions. He was held to attend a future bail hearing.
Ashtan Leblanc was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft under $5000, obstruct a peace officer, fail to comply with release order and fail to comply with undertaking.
Update (Monday, June 7, 2021):
Kingston Police have added a charge to the suspect in the theft of an ambulance from Kingston General Hospital on Sunday afternoon.
“The male involved in the incident was actually 24 years old,” Constable Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer – C.O.R.E. Unit, told Kingstonist in an email. “He had provided a false identity and was therefore additionally charged with obstructing a peace officer.”
Originally Kingston Police had identified the suspect as a 34-year-old male.
Original Article:
Police have apprehended a suspect shortly after a theft of an ambulance from Kingston General Hospital on Sunday afternoon.
The suspect didn’t get far with the ambulance from Leeds Grenville Paramedic Services before multiple police services, including Kingston Police and OPP, were notified. The suspect fled eastbound on Ontario St and across the LaSalle Causeway towards Kingston’s east end. Military Police from CFB Kingston were also notified as the suspect drove toward the base.
OPP and Kingston’s Finest have nabbed an Ambulance thief in front of the I-Cycle Electric Bike Company at Fort Henry. Good Work! pic.twitter.com/frJfVeVQzw
— i-Cycle Electric Bike Co (@ICycle12) June 6, 2021
A Leeds OPP officer stopped the ambulance on Fort Henry Drive a few minutes later. A 24-year-old male is facing unspecified charges, according to Kingston Police. More to come.