High-Speed Ambulance Heist: Schenectady Man Arrested After Dramatic Chase and Crash!
A Schenectady man, identified as Adam C. Cole, 25, was arrested after stealing an ambulance in Cobleskill and leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Schenectady late Saturday night.
The dramatic incident began when emergency responders were assisting a diabetic patient on Main Street in Cobleskill. After the patient was loaded into the ambulance, Cole approached the EMS personnel, claiming there was another medical emergency nearby.
As the EMS workers stepped out to investigate, Cole jumped into the driver’s seat and sped away, taking the ambulance with the patient still inside. Authorities were initially concerned for the patient’s safety, believing they were still inside during the chase.
However, it was later discovered that the patient had been dropped off at a Speedway gas station before the pursuit intensified. The patient was then transported to a hospital by a private vehicle, treated, and released.
The pursuit began when a Schoharie County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the stolen ambulance on Interstate 88. The deputy attempted to stop Cole, but he refused to pull over, prompting a chase that would eventually involve multiple law enforcement agencies.
The chase moved quickly from Schoharie County into Schenectady, with the ambulance navigating through various areas, including parts of Rotterdam. State troopers soon took the lead as the pursuit continued.
The chase came to a dramatic end when Cole drove the ambulance into the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Brandywine Avenue in Schenectady, crashing into another vehicle driven by Jesus Espinal Jr., 24, of Utica.
The collision left Espinal’s car at Eastern Avenue and McClellan Street while the ambulance overturned onto its side. Espinal suffered serious injuries and was transported to Albany Medical Center for treatment. Cole, despite the crash, was not seriously hurt.
Following the crash, Cole was arrested, and multiple charges were pending against him, though the specific charges were not immediately disclosed. Authorities also revealed that Cole had an active warrant from the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office for third-degree grand larceny, adding to his legal troubles. He remained in custody as investigations continued.
Law enforcement and emergency services, including the Schenectady and Rotterdam police departments and the Schenectady Fire Department, responded significantly to the incident.
The theft of the ambulance, combined with the high-speed chase, raised concerns about the safety of other road users, especially given the initial belief that a patient was still inside the vehicle.
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This bizarre series of events highlights the dangers of such reckless actions and the strain they place on emergency services. The investigation into the exact motives behind Cole’s actions is ongoing, and he is expected to face a slew of charges related to the ambulance theft, the high-speed pursuit, and the injuries caused by the crash.