A thief stole an ambulance from Telangana’s Hayathnagar in an attempt to escape police, triggering a high-speed chase along the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway.
The dramatic incident, which ended in Suryapet district, involved reckless driving and an intense police operation to capture the accused.
The thief stole the ambulance in an attempt to escape towards Vijayawada, following which a pursuit was launched. The accused used the vehicle’s siren to manoeuvre through traffic, creating chaos on the highway.
Video of the incident showed the ambulance speeding past a toll plaza, with officials at the toll gate attempting, unsuccessfully, to stop it as the vehicle rammed into the gate.
The chase escalated near Chityala, where the thief collided with Assistant Sub-Inspector John Reddy. The officer, who was trying to intercept the vehicle, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a private hospital in Hyderabad. His condition remains critical.
The pursuit ended near Suryapet when police blocked the road with trucks, forcing the ambulance to stop. The thief was detained on the spot.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused is a habitual offender with a history of thefts.
