Ambulance theft delays trip to hospital

An ambulance thief delayed paramedics who were trying to take a woman to the hospital from her South Side home early this morning.

The paramedics told police they were responding to an EMS call about 2 a.m. and had parked the ambulance in front of the house in the 1100 block of Sharmain Place. When they walked back outside a few minutes later, the vehicle was missing, and they reported it stolen.

A second EMS unit was dispatched to the house so the 84-year-old woman could be taken to an area hospital, though she did not appear to be in critical condition.

Moments later, police found the ambulance unoccupied and stopped with the engine running at Burton Street and West Hutchins Place.

Witnesses told police they saw a male driver abandon the vehicle and run east on Hutchins, but officers were unable to catch up to him.

Nothing apparently was stolen from the ambulance.