Psychiatric patient charged after ambulance stolen in Macomb County

Man accused of stealing ambulance, leading police on chase

Gunnar Theodore Ahlson is accused of stealing an ambulance and leading police on a chase Feb. 2, 2019. (WDIV)

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A 42-year-old man faces charges after he allegedly was able to overpower the staff of an ambulance Saturday, leading authorities on a pursuit that ended in Shelby Township.

Gunnar Theodore Ahlson is charged with carjacking. According to authorities, a MedStar ambulance was transferring a psychiatric patient -- now identified as Ahlson -- from McLaren Macomb in Mount Clemens to a facility in Auburn Hills. The patient was restrained but was able to free himself and take control of the ambulance.

Gunnar Theodore Ahlson

Police pursued the ambulance on Hall Road, but called off the pursuit at Schoenherr Road. The ambulance ultimately came to a stop after colliding with a Macomb County sheriff's deputy's car on Schoenherr Road north of 22 Mile Road.

The police cruiser had two deputies inside at the time. Both are expected to be OK, but one was taken to a hospital as a precaution. 

Ahlson is being held at the Macomb County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Watch the Local 4 report from Saturday here: