Naked man arrested after leading police on chase in stolen ambulance with patient inside
By: ------
Pittsville, WI - A man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he stole an ambulance with a patient inside and led them on a chase.
Wisconsin authorities said the situation started Tuesday night when the Rapids Fire Department was responding to a call for service.
The team had an ambulance that was parked while crews were providing care to a patient, and that’s when the suspect in the chase, later identified as Benajamin Feltz, jumped in.
Authorities said Feltz was already trying to avoid them when he got into the driver’s seat of the ambulance and took off. The suspect had allegedly been doing push-ups while naked in public before the incident.
Two paramedics were in the back with a patient at the time; they tried to stop Feltz, but he ended up getting away.
According to Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker, Wisconsin Rapids police initiated the chase after the ambulance was reported stolen from the city. The chase headed west on State Highway 73.
Wisconsin Rapids officers attempted to end the pursuit by deploying tire deflation devices, but they were unsuccessful.
The chase continued into Pittsville and officers were ultimately successful in stopping the ambulance by using stop sticks in a field.
Feltz refused multiple commands to exit the ambulance, but was eventually taken into custody after.
The ambulance patient was taken to an area hospital. Authorities said the transport was not considered an emergency.
Feltz was booked into the Wood County Jail and is facing charges that include disorderly conduct, obstructing emergency personnel, recklessly endangering safety and operating while intoxicated.