Police Arrest Suspect Who Took High-Speed Joy Ride in Stolen Ambulance

Palestine, TX -Palestine police have released video of a high-speed pursuit involving a man who stole an ambulance. Armando Vinaja, 18, was arrested by officers Friday. Vinaja allegedly stole an ambulance from the Palestine Regional Medical Center and led police on a chase. He is charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and evading arrest detention with a vehicle. Vinaja can be seen cheering after his arrest. In an arrest affidavit, an officer described seeing him hanging out of the ambulance and driving at speeds of more than 100 mph. Palestine police contacted the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and learned that Vinaja was initially taken to the hospital after a caller reported he was driving erratically, stopped and was laying down in a ditch. He was transported to the emergency room. He then left the hospital and stole the vehicle.