Valley man arrested for stealing ambulance, driving it home

PHOENIX — A Valley man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of stealing an ambulance from a local hospital and driving it home.

Michael Lopez, 40, told police he felt he was being held against his will at a West Valley hospital when he decided to take the Buckeye Valley Fire Department ambulance.

But Lopez wasn’t alone. A Buckeye Valley firefighter was still in the back.

“When the suspect jumped into the driver’s seat and started to take off, the firefighter did jump out of the ambulance and he was safe,” said Lisa Kutis with Goodyear police.

Officers followed Lopez and arrested him after he parked at his home.

Lopez is facing multiple felony charges.

KTAR’s Caroline Harlow contributed to this report.