Patient Steals Hatzolah Emergency Vehicle During Medical Call in Bnei Brak, Leads Police on Wild Chase

A shocking incident unfolded in Bnei Brak over Shabbos when a United Hatzalah emergency response vehicle was stolen by the very patient medics had arrived to treat during a life-saving call.

The unusual episode took place Friday night on Rechov Harav Shach, where the organization’s on-call Shabbos paramedic had been dispatched to provide urgent medical assistance. According to reports, moments after the medic arrived and began preparing to treat the individual, the patient suddenly jumped into the driver’s seat of the emergency vehicle and sped off.

Witnesses said the suspect drove recklessly through city streets, endangering pedestrians and other motorists as he fled the area in the stolen emergency vehicle.

An immediate emergency response was launched involving United Hatzalah dispatchers, additional volunteers in the field, and officers from the Bnei Brak police station. Using the vehicle’s tracking technology, dispatchers monitored the suspect’s movements in real time while police units pursued the vehicle.

A short time later, the stolen emergency car was located in nearby Petach Tikvah while still being driven dangerously. Police officers intercepted the vehicle, arrested the suspect at the scene, and took him in for questioning.

Efi Feldman, head of United Hatzalah’s Bnei Brak branch, sharply condemned the incident.

“This is an extremely serious incident involving harm to an emergency vehicle designated for saving lives,” Feldman said. “We strongly denounce any violence or damage directed at medical teams and their lifesaving equipment. We commend the quick thinking and alertness of the volunteers and dispatch center, and thank the officers of the Bnei Brak police station for their swift and decisive response, which brought the incident to an end without injuries.”

After being inspected, the emergency vehicle was found to be undamaged and was immediately returned to operational service for continued Shabbos emergency duty in the city.

{Matzav.com}