A shocking turn of events unfolded in Downey on Saturday morning when an ambulance was stolen from the scene of a homicide investigation, leading to a police pursuit that concluded with a crash in Alhambra. The incident, which occurred while paramedics were attending to a victim of a stabbing, has prompted separate investigations by the Downey Police Department.
A Deadly Stabbing in Downey
The day’s events began around 9:40 a.m. when authorities received reports of a stabbing victim found outside the Downey Library. Responding officers and emergency medical personnel discovered a male victim suffering from a stab wound. Despite the efforts of paramedics, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations into the homicide are ongoing, with detectives actively pursuing leads.
Stolen Ambulance Amidst the Chaos
As emergency personnel worked to save the stabbing victim, a bizarre and unrelated incident occurred. According to the Downey Police Department, a male suspect, not connected to the homicide investigation, allegedly stole a Downey Fire Department ambulance that had been parked at the crime scene. The theft added a layer of unexpected chaos to an already critical situation.
Pursuit Across Cities and a Crash
Upon realizing the ambulance had been stolen, law enforcement initiated a pursuit. The stolen vehicle was chased from Downey into the city of Alhambra. The pursuit eventually ended when the suspect crashed the ambulance into a parked vehicle. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the crash. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident following the collision.
Suspects Apprehended and Investigations Underway
Authorities have identified two individuals in connection with the morning’s events. The suspect believed to be responsible for the fatal stabbing, described as a 23-year-old male transient, was apprehended earlier on foot near Downey High School after the school and library were temporarily placed on lockdown. The suspect arrested for stealing the ambulance is identified as a 52-year-old man from Los Angeles. Downey Police officials have stated that these incidents appear to be isolated and are investigating both cases thoroughly. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Downey Police Department.
Broader Los Angeles News Landscape
In a day filled with significant news across Los Angeles County, this unusual event captured the spotlight. Other notable Los Angeles news included an urgent warning issued by LA County health officials regarding the dangers of kratom products due to an increase in fatal overdoses. Additionally, cleanup efforts were underway at the Port of Long Beach following an incident where cargo containers fell into the water. These concurrent events paint a picture of a busy news cycle across the region.
