12/11/23 Lake City, FL – Patient With Altered Mental Status Steals Ambulance On Scene – Pursued By Deputy – Ambulance Struck A Curb – Damage – Suspect Arrested At Sheriff’s Office

A man in an altered mental state stole an ambulance Saturday evening in Lake City and led law enforcement on a chase that ended on the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) operations center front lawn.

According to a CCSO release, a deputy was assisting EMS personnel at 11:45 p.m. near SE Baya Avenue and State Road 100 with a man who was experiencing an altered state of mind and was allegedly under the influence of drugs.

The individual, identified as Stanley Williams, 35, gained access to the inside of the ambulance and drove away from the scene. The CCSO deputy pursued the stolen ambulance while contacting other deputies.

During the chase, the ambulance struck a curb and damaged a tire. Williams drove the ambulance through the CCSO operations center located on US 90 East and stopped near the main entrance on the front lawn.

Williams was taken into custody and, other than damage to the front lawn, there was no other damage to CCSO property.

“It’s not every day a pursuit ends at our front door,” said Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter in the release. “This just goes to show that we never know what we will encounter from one moment to the next. I’m glad nobody was hurt and the suspect was not able to pose a greater risk to our community.”

Williams was admitted to a local hospital for further evaluation. Charges are being filed with the State Attorney’s Office for theft and fleeing and eluding.