ASHEBORO N.C. (ACME NEWS) — A Moore County man faces multiple charges, including several felonies, after authorities say he stole a Randolph County ambulance Wednesday morning while paramedics were inside transferring a patient and led law enforcement on a chase that ended nearly an hour later in Pinehurst.
Allan Ulises Morgan, 27, of Eagle Springs, was taken into custody after deputies located the ambulance at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital on NC-211, according to court documents filed Wednesday in Randolph County District Court.
The incident began just before 5 a.m. when a Randolph County EMS crew arrived at Randolph Health at 364 White Oak St. in Asheboro to transfer a patient to the emergency department. While the crew was inside, ‘an unauthorized individual’ allegedly entered the driver’s compartment of the ambulance, which was parked at the EMS entrance, and drove away, according to a press release from Randolph County Emergency Services.
EMS staff immediately reported the theft to law enforcement, the release states.
(Photo courtesy Randolph County Jail)
According to charging documents, a deputy with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop the vehicle after locating it traveling south on 220 Business Alt at McBride Lumber Road. Morgan allegedly refused to stop, and also ignored instructions to pull over that were relayed via radio communications.
During the pursuit, charging documents allege Morgan ran red lights on NC Hwy. 211, drove eastbound in the westbound lanes, crossed the center line multiple times and drove the vehicle onto the grass shoulder. Authorities also allege that during the chase, Morgan used the ambulance’s onboard radio to communicate with Randolph County Communications.
Near Moore Regional Hospital on NC-211, Morgan allegedly struck a DOT sign, damaging the left front quarter panel of the ambulance, then failed to stop. He was ultimately apprehended at the hospital and removed from the driver’s seat.
The ambulance was returned to Randolph County with minor damage. No injuries were reported.
Morgan faces three felony charges — larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and felony flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle — as well as seven misdemeanor and traffic charges including driving with a revoked license, resisting a public officer, misuse of the 911 system, hit and run, driving the wrong way on a dual lane highway, failure to maintain lane control and running a red light.
Morgan’s driver’s license was revoked at the time of the incident, according to charging documents.
A secure bond of $15,000 was set and he is scheduled to appear in Randolph County District Court on Friday.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and Asheboro Police Department are jointly investigating the incident, according to the EMS press release.
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