Stolen ambulance crashes into Idaho DHS office

An Idaho woman was taken into custody on Monday after allegedly stealing an ambulance and attempting to ignite a fire at a Department of Homeland Security office.

Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, from Boise, reportedly stole an ambulance from a Canyon County EMS team outside St. Luke’s Meridian around 11 p.m. on February 18. She crashed the vehicle into the entrance of the Portico North building, poured gasoline across the lobby floor, and fled on foot, as stated in a federal criminal complaint.

Authorities were able to identify George after Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterechea conducted thorough investigations, which included gathering surveillance footage and vehicle records from local businesses over five days.

She now faces federal charges, including malicious arson of government property and destruction of property affecting interstate commerce. Each allegation could lead to a sentence ranging from five to 20 years, according to the filed complaint in the U.S. District Court for Idaho.

In the affidavit, investigators discovered a social media post purportedly made by George on the morning of February 18, featuring an AI-generated image of the White House in flames with a caption suggesting destruction as a form of truth-seeking.

Authorities claim George lifted the ambulance while its crew was transferring a patient. Surveillance video recorded a dark pickup truck positioned near the hospital about 22 minutes prior to the ambulance’s arrival, with a person resembling George seen approaching the facility shortly before the theft.

She reportedly parked the stolen ambulance nearby moments later, loaded gas cans and a plastic bag into it, and drove to the Portico North building.

The building is occupied by the U.S. General Services Administration for the Department of Homeland Security as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to investigators, around 11:10 p.m., George drove the ambulance through a door at the south entrance, doused the lobby with gasoline, and fled right as law enforcement arrived.

Bustelechea remarked that George attempted to set fire to the building, having poured gasoline inside the ambulance and outside on the floor.

The affidavit also contained surveillance footage from a Walmart showing George buying two gas cans and lighter fluid that same evening. A receipt dated shortly before the incident included these purchases.

Later that night, video from a Fred Meyer gas station allegedly depicted George filling the two gas cans with gasoline right before the crash. The loyalty card used for that transaction was registered under her name.

Investigators noted similarities between the blue Dodge Dakota pickup truck seen leaving the scene after the incident and one associated with George’s family, including matching wear patterns and bodywork.

George was previously recorded during a traffic stop on February 6 driving the same blue Dodge Dakota and was connected to a vehicle seen exiting the area shortly after the crash.

Dash camera footage captured George walking across Fairview Street a few minutes after the crash. Subsequent surveillance showed her entering a pickup truck and driving away.

The Meridian Police collaborated with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives throughout the investigation. A search warrant and arrest warrant were executed at George’s home on Monday night.

Bustelechea condemned the incident as unacceptable, vowing a thorough investigation and prosecution.

The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of further charges emerging.