83-Year-Old N. Merrick Man Signs Himself Out Of Hospital, Steals Ambulance: Police

An 83-year-old North Merrick man was arrested after he signed himself out of a hospital and then stole an ambulance that had keys in the ignition early Tuesday, Nassau Police said.

According to police, Donald Winkler, of Potter Avenue, was an admitted patient at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow for an illness when he became upset with his care and signed himself out of the hospital around 1 a.m., police said.

Upon walking out of the emergency room doors and into the parking lot, Winkler observed and entered a Nassau County Police ambulance with the keys in the ignition and drove it away, police said.

A short time later, First Precinct officers received a 911 call for a wellness check for a man who was at the 7-Eleven located at 1555 Jerusalem Ave. in North Merrick, police said. Upon their arrival, officers were met by Winkler, who admitted to taking the ambulance, which was in the 7-Eleven parking lot, police said.

Winkler was then placed under arrest and transported back to NUMC for evaluation and treatment, police said.

Winkler is charged with second degree grand larceny and was arraigned Tuesday at a hospital bedside.

Photo: Google Maps