An ambulance is temporarily unusable after being spiked by police after it was allegedly stolen. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

A man who allegedly stole an ambulance in South Dunedin drove the vehicle on its rims for a ``considerable distance'' after its tyres were spiked by police.

Clayton Tamakehu (30) was granted bail when he appeared before the Dunedin District Court yesterday morning charged with driving while forbidden, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving and dishonestly taking a vehicle belonging to St John.

The vehicle was taken in South Dunedin just after 11pm on Sunday during an emergency response callout.

Police tracked it using its GPS unit and it was stopped in Waihola by the use of road spikes.

Sergeant Dion Phair, of Dunedin, said after this the man drove for a ``considerable distance'' on the rims of the vehicle, before stopping near Milton.

According to court documents, the ambulance was worth $220,000.

Tamakehu was granted bail to live at a South Dunedin address between 7pm and 7am and ordered not to drive. He was also not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs.

Tamakehu will be back in court again in three weeks.

St John Southland District Operations Manager Pauline Buchanan said the theft occurred while an crew was responding to a call for emergency assistance in the area.

While officers were attending to the patient at a residential address, the ambulance was stolen.

``It is reprehensible that while our ambulance officers were providing essential clinical care to a patient someone would steal their ambulance.

``There was complete disregard for the consequences of their actions and for the patient they were caring for.''

It was fortunate the patient was able to be treated at the scene and did not require transportation and there were no further calls for ambulance assistance during this time, as the theft could have potentially impacted on a patient, she said.

St John was grateful for the swift response by police to the alleged theft of the ambulance and for apprehending the alleged offender who stole it, she said.

``We understand that the ambulance has sustained considerable damage so will be off the road for repairs, putting it out of action as an emergency resource.''

It did not crash and no-one was hurt.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz