Stealing a heavy emergency vehicle sounds like something out of a bad action movie, but it turned into a dangerous reality across Nova Scotia. A hospital parking lot theft transformed into a high-stakes highway tracking operation, ending only when police deployed a spike belt near New Glasgow.
The chaotic chain of events began at St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish. At approximately 4:15 p.m., local RCMP received a frantic report that an ambulance had been stolen right off Bay Street. Fortunately, the vehicle was completely unoccupied at the time, meaning no medical personnel, patients, or bystanders were physically harmed during the initial theft.
Tracking the Stolen Emergency Vehicle
Police spotters quickly located the vehicle moving along Beech Hill Road. When officers attempted a standard traffic stop, the driver flat-out refused to pull over, turning instead onto St. Andrews Street.
At this point, tactical decisions become critical for law enforcement. High-speed pursuits involving large, heavy vehicles like ambulances through populated areas present massive risks to public safety. Officers made the conscious choice to back off from a traditional active pursuit. Instead, they opted to track the ambulance's movements from a safe distance while coordinating ahead.
A second attempt to intercept the vehicle on Highway 104 near James River also failed when the driver refused to yield.
The Spike Belt Intervention on Highway 104
Realizing the vehicle wasn't going to stop on its own, Pictou County District RCMP stepped in to set up a tactical blockade. Officers deployed a spike belt at Sullivans River, successfully puncturing and deflating the ambulance's tires.
Even with shredded tires, heavy emergency vehicles can maintain momentum for a surprising distance. The driver kept pushing the damaged rig westward along Highway 104. The chase finally sputtered out around 5:00 p.m. when the crippled vehicle coasted to a halt on the highway shoulder near New Glasgow. Officers moved in immediately and arrested the driver without further incident.
The Charges and Suspect Details
Authorities identified the man behind the wheel as 36-year-old Andrew Cory Hipson of Deerfield, Yarmouth County.
The legal fallout for the suspect is severe. Hipson has been remanded into custody facing a total of five distinct criminal charges:
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Dangerous operation of a conveyance
- Driving while licence is suspended or revoked
- Flight from a peace officer
- Failure to comply with release conditions
Incidents like this highlight the unpredictable challenges rural detachments face daily. Stealing emergency infrastructure not only triggers massive police responses across multiple county lines but also ties up vital resources that local communities rely on for actual medical emergencies. Hipson remains locked up awaiting his upcoming court appearance.
