A man stole an ambulance from Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Monday, crashed it into a police patrol car and drove it into the woods before he was caught overnight, the Metro Nashville Police Department said.

Renny McMahon, 50, was charged with aggravated assault and theft in connection with the collision.

Officers responded to a call of a stolen ambulance from the hospital Monday night, MNPD Capt. Charles Widener said.

A preliminary investigation revealed the suspect took a Rutherford County ambulance from VUMC, police said. Nashville police spotted it on Murfreesboro Road and tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver stopped in the roadway.

That's when police said he backed into a patrol car, damaging it.

Widener said the officer was not seriously injured. MNPD identified her as Officer Allyson Reis on Tuesday.

The suspect drove away onto Arlington Avenue, went through the intersection at Elm Hill Pike and crashed into trees near an embankment.

Widener said police took the man into custody without incident.

It was not immediately clear if McMahon had retained legal representation. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday in general sessions court.

He remained in custody in Davidson County Jail on Tuesday afternoon in lieu of a combined $75,000 bond.

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund @nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.