Police in the US state of Wisconsin were left doing double takes in February after receiving an emergency call that sounded more like a prank than a crime report. According to authorities, a completely naked man had stolen an ambulance while a patient was still strapped inside, setting off a dramatic pursuit across regional roads.
The incident unfolded in the city of Wisconsin Rapids, where paramedics were responding to a medical emergency. As they treated a patient in the back of a parked ambulance, a man allegedly jumped into the driver’s seat and started the vehicle. Despite attempts by paramedics to stop him, the ambulance was driven away with the patient still inside.
Police say the suspect led officers on a chase lasting close to 20 miles, weaving through roads while ignoring multiple efforts to stop the vehicle. Spike strips were deployed several times with little immediate effect, forcing officers to escalate their response to bring the runaway ambulance to a halt.
The pursuit finally ended when police forced the vehicle off the road and into a muddy field. Body‑camera footage shows the suspect exiting the ambulance naked before eventually surrendering to police without further incident. Authorities later confirmed the patient inside the ambulance was unharmed and was taken to hospital to continue receiving care.
The suspect now facing a lengthy list of criminal charges, including vehicle theft and offences related to the police pursuit. While bizarre crimes often draw comparisons to Florida, even officers noted the strangest part of the story was that it happened in Wisconsin instead.
