Mr. Chitwood’s wild ride

This is why you don’t fall asleep on the job.

Darryl Chitwood, a paramedic napping in the back of his ambulance, was jolted awake when two men sped off with his vehicle, according to the Associated Press.

The ambulance was parked outside of an Albuquerque, N.M., hospital around 3 a.m. when the duo hijacked it, the AP reports. There may be a market for stolen emergency vehicles in New Mexico, or, more likely, the duo was looking to get their hands on the drugs stored in the vehicle. 

“We don't know why they stole that ambulance… if they just needed a ride. But obviously there's a lot of narcotics on board on an ambulance, if they're trying to steal that,” Albuquerque police officer Simon Drokbik told local TV station KOAT7.

Chitwood was not hurt during the ordeal, KOAT7 reports. He managed to jump out of the vehicle as it slowed down through an intersection.

Officers pursued the ambulance on Interstate 40, and ended the chase by using spikes to deflate the ambulance's tires. The two thieves, Aleesa Quam and Mick Schilt, were apprehended and charged with kidnapping, auto theft and leading police on a chase, according to KOAT7.

The director of the ambulance company told KOAT7 that it is common for ambulance workers to take catnaps whenever they can; however, Chitwood may now be sleeping with one eye open.

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