(Photo courtesy: Visalia Police Department)
(KMJ) – A South Valley woman is now behind bars after she reportedly stole an ambulance, leading police of a chase through Visalia.
Officers in that city responded to a call around 3:38 p.m. Monday near the 700 block of East Noble to assist an emergency medical crew. But while they worked, Visalia Police say 38-year-old Mariah Chaffin drove off in an ambulance that was left running.
Police say they were able to catch up with Chaffin, who was driving the stolen ambulance with both emergency lights and sirens on. But, in downtown Visalia near Acequia and Locust, Chaffin crashed into another ambulance that was carrying a patient, as well as a police car. A Visalia Police Officer was taken to the hospital for injuries received during that collision.
Chaffin was taken into custody and later to the hospital. Visalia Police say she will be booked for assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and possession of a stolen vehicle she is once released from the hospital.
