UPDATE: Atlanta Ambulance Theft Suspect Identified

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UPDATE: Atlanta police have identified the man they say stole an ambulance from Grady Memorial Hospital, then wrecked it after a high-speed chase through Cobb County and back through Atlanta.

Jermaine McCommons, 38, has been charged with theft by taking auto and a miscellany of traffic offenses, police spokeswoman Kim Jones told the Atlanta Journal Constituion. Fulton County jail records do not show McCommons as booked into the facility as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.

ORIGINAL STORY: A man is behind bars on Tuesday after police say he stole an ambulance from an Atlanta hospital and led police on a high-speed chase through a metro county.

According to WSB-TV, the suspect hopped into the driver’s seat of the ambulance parked at Grady Memorial Hospital as a paramedic cleaned out the back and drove off. A paramedic had left the keys in the ignition, police told WSB-TV.

After making off with the ambulance, the suspect was pursued by police through Cobb County until speeds became too dangerous and pursuing officers gave the suspect more space, WSB-TV said. The suspect eventually made his way back to Atlanta, but crashed the ambulance along Kelly Street in the southeastern part of the city.

The suspect tried to flee on foot, but K-9 units picked up his scent and discovered him hiding in a nearby ditch, according to WSB-TV. Police told the station that the suspect will face charges of theft by taking, with more charges possible.

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