Woman Steals Chicago Ambulance From Hospital

A Chicago woman has been charged with stealing a Chicago Fire Department ambulance from St. Bernard Hospital in the Englewood neighborhood late Sunday and crashing it several blocks away, authorities said.

Police said this morning that Cassie Weathersby, 30, of the 1600 block of North Mango Avenue, took Ambulance 14 from outside the hospital in the 300 block of West 64th Street around 10:50 p.m.

She has been charged with stealing the vehicle, driving on a suspended license, and driving under the influence of alcohol, police said. Judge Israel Desierto ordered Weathersby held on $25,000 bond in court today. She is scheduled to appear in court again on June 1.

According to Officer Ron Gaines, a police spokesman, the woman fled about a mile east across the Dan Ryan Expressway in the ambulance before crashing into a vehicle in the 6700 block of South Indiana Avenue.

The woman, who wasn't injured in the crash, was taken into custody at that time.

It was unclear what led up to the theft.

Dawn Rhodes contributed.

wlee@tribune.com

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