Vehicle Tracking Device Puts the Stops on Ambulance Joyride
Friday, June 26th, 2009
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Seems a guy can’t take an ambulance out for a spin anymore, without getting jail time.
EMTs in Kansas City, MO. exited Research Medical Center on June 14 after dropping off a patient and discovered that their rig was missing.
Apparently a passerby was feeling adventurous at 4 a.m. and took the unlocked vehicle on a joyride.
It didn’t take long for the crew from MAST, an independent ambulance service, to figure out that the GPS tracking system installed in the company’s ambulances for efficient routing and fleet tracking, would work for theft recovery.
They called police, who were guided by the ambulance’s real-time GPS tracking transmitter along State Route 70 into Independence, MO., a trip of about 13 miles. It was not reported whether the thief played with the lights and siren.
“That’s a nice added feature, being able to find our ambulance when it’s inadvertently stolen,” said Aaron Howell from MAST.
The ambulance was found crashed near Winner Road, with the alleged thief still inside. He had apparently lost control of the vehicle. Thomas Glisson, 41, of Kansas City is accused of stealing the vehicle.
“When you have an emergency vehicle that’s occupied by someone that’s not familiar with the vehicle, it can become a danger,” said Howell.
 Glisson got a ride to the hospital from another ambulance to be treated for minor injuries. Damage to the MAST ambulance is estimated at about $125,000.
