By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A woman was arrested after crashing a stolen ambulance into a building housing U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel in Louisiana.
• The crash occurred early Tuesday morning in Jefferson Parish near Metairie.
• Authorities allege the ambulance had been reported stolen from a hospital earlier.
• Federal law enforcement offices inside the building were secured following the incident.
• The woman faces multiple charges including theft and vehicle-related offenses.
JEFFERSON PARISH, LA — A woman was taken into custody Tuesday after she reportedly stole an ambulance and drove it into a building occupied by U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office officials said.
The incident occurred shortly before sunrise when deputies responded to reports of a vehicle theft at a hospital campus and later observed the suspect driving the stolen ambulance, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
The suspect then allegedly drove the ambulance into the facade of a structure that houses federal law enforcement offices, prompting a security response and securing of the building. No injuries to DHS staff have been reported at this time.
Responding deputies arrested the woman at the scene and secured the vehicle. She faces charges related to the theft of the ambulance and vehicle operation, among other potential offenses, according to authorities.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the events leading up to the crash and is coordinating with federal partners on the case.