Georgia Man in Custody After Stealing Ambulance

April 07--A suspect was in custody early Tuesday after allegedly stealing an ambulance from outside Grady Memorial Hospital and leading police on a chase through Cobb County before ditching the emergency vehicle in southeast Atlanta.

Channel 2 Action news reported that the ambulance was stolen as a paramedic cleaned out the back of the vehicle. The keys were in the ignition, police said.

The ambulance, which is owned by American Medical Response and operates primarily out of DeKalb County, had a tracking device.

Police tracked the stolen ambulance into Cobb County, where officers backed off a chase when speeds got dangerously fast, according to Channel 2.

The suspect later wrecked the ambulance along Kelly Street in southeast Atlanta and took off on foot, but after about 30 minutes, an Atlanta police K9 unit tracked him to where he was hiding in a nearby drainage sewer.

Atlanta police spokeswoman Kim Jones said Jermaine McCommons, 38, was arrested and charged with theft by taking auto and "a host of other traffic-related charges."

The charges also include DUI -- driving under the influence of alcohol, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence, and driving while license suspended or revoked, Fulton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan said.

McCommons is expected to have a first appearance hearing Wednesday morning at the Fulton County jail, Flanagan said.

The ambulance sustained minor damage when the suspect struck a pole, police said.

Copyright 2015 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution