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A Chicago man allegedly stole an ambulance Monday and began a bizarre journey that landed him in a secure medical facility in Wisconsin facing various criminal charges, police said.
Michael Buckner, 23, was being transported from Trinity Hospital to River's Edge Hospital in Forest Park when he freed himself from his restraints and threatened to kill the emergency medical technician traveling in the back of the ambulance with him, Illinois State Police said Friday.
The driver of the ambulance pulled over to help the EMT, who was hit in the face. The EMT exited through the back of the ambulance and Buckner took control of the driver's seat, police said.
Later that morning, officers from the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash and discovered the ambulance from Chicago on a road near Port Washington, north of Milwaukee.
A passerby who stopped at the scene of the accident offered Buckner, who was the only person in the ambulance, a ride. The man later became concerned for his safety and stepped out of his vehicle to call police. Buckner then allegedly fled the scene in the man's vehicle, police said.
Sheriff's deputies quickly caught up with Buckner and he was taken into custody, police said. Buckner was transported to the Ozaukee County Jail and charged with operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, according to authorities.
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While he was being held at the jail, Buckner appeared to have a health crisis and was taken to a local hospital, where police said he became violent and attacked the deputies that were guarding him.
During the struggle, three deputies sustained non-life threatening injuries, including bite marks and lacerations, police said. Charges for battery to a police officer were forwarded to the Ozaukee County District Attorney's office, authorities said.
Buckner is being held at a secure medical facility on criminal charges issued by Illinois State Police. He is expected to return to Illinois.
