Manhunt for Suspect Who Stole Ambulance and Crashed into Office Building

A manhunt is currently in progress for an individual who stole an ambulance from St. Luke’s Hospital in Meridian, Idaho. This person then used the ambulance to smash into an office building that houses U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. According to police reports, the suspect filled the stolen vehicle with gasoline or another unknown accelerant before fleeing the scene on foot.

Authorities noted that the suspect escaped prior to igniting the accelerant, which could have resulted in even greater damage. It appears that as officers arrived early Thursday morning, just after the crash, the individual may have already left the ambulance behind.

Meridian Police Chief Tracy Bustlechea held a press conference on Thursday afternoon to share updates regarding the case. The suspect is described as wearing a black shirt and tan pants, and it seems they took measures to conceal their identity by wearing a surgical mask.

The ambulance was taken from the hospital’s ambulance bay at approximately 11:10 PM on Wednesday night. Bustlechea mentioned that the suspect had hidden a gas canister in nearby foliage, which they retrieved after stealing the ambulance. Shortly after midnight, the suspect drove the vehicle into the North Portico Building, accommodating Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offices.

As reported by the Idaho Statesman, the U.S. General Services Administration leases space in the Portico North Building specifically for ICE personnel. This leasing arrangement is limited to office use and does not include detention areas.

Interestingly, about a week before this incident, a group known as the Idaho 97 Project shared a list of ICE facilities in Idaho that were intended to be targets for protests, and the Meridian office was among those listed.

Investigators indicate that the suspect poured gasoline both inside and around the ambulance. Bustlechea referred to the event as a “serious criminal act.” He emphasized that stealing and damaging emergency vehicles endangers not only the personnel responding to emergencies but also takes away vital medical resources from the community.

He also mentioned that recent online discussions might have influenced the actions taken against the building. “There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Department of Homeland Security renting space here, and some social media comments, suggesting that ‘property damage is not violence,’ are misleading. This is absolutely an act of violence. If not for the suspect’s actions, this building could have easily caught fire, putting many lives, especially responders and those at risk, in jeopardy,” Bustlechea said.

The Meridian Police Department is leading the investigation, with support from the FBI, DHS, Idaho State Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.