'Hospital Houdini' Drives Stolen Ambulance to Wisconsin: POLICE

A hospital patient made a Houdini-like escape slipping from his restraints and stealing an ambulance which he then drove to Wisconsin, said an investigator for the Illinois State Police.

Special Agent Breton O’Neill appeared Tuesday afternoon before Cook County Judge Peter Felice, requesting a warrant for the arrest of 22-year-old Michael Buckner.

According to O’Neill, Buckner was being transferred from Advocate Trinity Hospital at 2320 E. 93rd St. in Chicago to a hospital in Forest Park around 4 a.m. Monday.

Bucker had been strapped to a gurney by five security guards and was put into a Superior Ambulance. The investigator testified that Buckner somehow managed to slip from his restraints.

O’Neill said Buckner stole the ambulance and drove it to Ozaukee County, WI, where he crashed and totaled the ambulance. He allegedly hijacked another car and was eventually arrested by Wisconsin authorities.

“How’d he get out of the restraints,” Judge Felice asked. “He’s Houdini.”

The assistant public defender said that Buckner has no prior criminal background. He was not in court on Tuesday.

Buckner is being held in the Ozaukee County Jail. Judge Felice set bail at $25,000.