Police: Athens man steals ambulance, burglarizes Walgreens

Athens Police have arrested a suspect they say stole an ambulance, went on a dangerous drive, and then was caught trying to burglarize a Walgreens.

Police say right after midnight on Sunday, officers were called to St. Mary's Hospital after reports of an ambulance being stolen. The driver told police he was waiting for a patient to be discharged and transported when the vehicle drove off.

The ambulance was later found on the 2500 block of Broad Street. Investigators found video evidence of the vehicle hitting multiple cars, jumping curbs, and running red lights before the driver stopped and ran off.

Less than an hour later, officers responding to a burglary call at a Walgreens on Hawthorne Avenue arrested 41-year-old Edward Wessinger.

After evidence led police to believe he also stole the ambulance, officers charged Wessigner with theft by taking a motor vehicle, driving while license suspended or revoked, DUI, and reckless driving.

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