Florida Woman Arrested After Stealing Ambulance and Leading Deputies on Erratic Chase

A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after stealing an ambulance outside a children's hospital and leading law enforcement on an erratic chase. The incident, which occurred early Thursday morning, highlights the serious consequences of such reckless behavior.

1. The Incident

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Ariel Marchan-Le Quire entered the driver's seat of the ambulance and took off from outside a children's hospital. Fortunately, no patients were onboard at the time of the theft.

Deputies tracked the ambulance using its onboard GPS to a gas station in the Fort Myers area. However, when they confronted Marchan-Le Quire, she drove away, pulled over, and then sped off again as deputies approached her a second time.

Chopper video from the sheriff's office shows the ambulance with its emergency lights on as it swerved through traffic. The driver also hit curbs and nearly overturned at one point during the pursuit.

2. The Pursuit

Deputies moved in on Marchan-Le Quire after she stopped again. Bodycam video shows her being pulled out of the ambulance as she yelled repeatedly.

The pursuit was marked by high-speed driving and erratic maneuvers, posing significant risks to both the public and law enforcement officers involved.

3. Charges and Arrest

Marchan-Le Quire faces charges of grand larceny, leaving the scene of a crash with damage, and resisting arrest. Jail records indicate that she is being held without bond.

The swift response and tracking by law enforcement ensured that the situation was brought under control without further harm to anyone.

4. Similar Incidents Nationwide

This incident is not an isolated case; there have been several reports of stolen ambulances across the United States. In Southern California, a suspect was recently accused of stealing an ambulance and leading police on a chase (Source:).

In another instance, a man in Oklahoma was accused of stealing an ambulance to drive to a court hearing for a stolen-car case (Source:). These incidents highlight the need for increased security measures at medical facilities.

The safety and security of medical vehicles are paramount, especially given their critical role in emergency services.

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