Woman arrested downstate after stealing ambulance in Arlington Heights

(RANTOUL) A Minnesota woman who stole an ambulance Friday morning from a northwest suburban hospital was apprehended in downstate Rantoul more than two hours later, authorities said.

The ambulance was stolen about 4:20 a.m. from Northwest Community Hospital at 800 W. Central in Arlington Heights, a spokesman for the Arlington Heights police said.

Police briefly lost sight of the driver, saying they had “no idea” where she was.

The ambulance was later spotted heading southbound on I-57 near mile marker 304, using its siren and running other vehicles off the road, according to a statement from Rantoul police. Rantoul is about 120 miles south of Chicago.

State police ended their pursuit of the ambulance at the border of Ford and Champaign counties, and Rantoul police waited to deploy stop sticks to halt the vehicle, according to the statement.

Samantha Sligar, 27, of Minneapolis was arrested “without incident” about 6:15 a.m. and taken to the Champaign County Correctional Center, Rantoul police said.

Silgar was charged with one count each of motor vehicle theft over $25,000 and driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. Her bond was set at $1,500.