Hospital Patient Accused of Stealing Ambulance Charged With Kidnapping

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The man who was accused of stealing and crashing an ambulance with two paramedics trapped inside has been charged with double counts of kidnapping and interference with government property. The suspect is due to appear before a DeKalb County judge for his first appearance Sunday.

Frank Ponquinette, a 36-year-old male, is accused of stealing the ambulance from Emory University Hospital on Saturday afternoon while the two paramedics were busy filling out paperwork and restocking materials in the back. The patient managed to drive three miles before crashing the ambulance into Sandy Chiropractic Clinic in Decatur, completely shattering the side of the building.

The owner of the building, Loretta Sandy, told Channel 2 News that she “shed a lot of tears” upon arriving to the now destroyed business. Her assistant had closed the building only an hour before the ambulance came crashing through the side of it.

According to the police, Ponquinette may have mental disabilities. Prior to crashing into the clinic, he knocked down a utility pole and essentially destroyed everything in his path. Fortunately, the paramedics made it out OK. They have asked not to be identified.

The suspect was described by witnesses as stunned, but did not sustain injury.

He was later captured in a shopping complex not far from the scene of the accident.

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