Chicago man charged after police chase in stolen ambulance

Note: The video above is WGN’s original report the night of the pursuit

CHICAGO (WGN) — A Chicago man is facing charges after allegedly stealing a Cicero Fire Department ambulance and leading police on a chaotic pursuit that involved gunfire and multiple crashes on the city’s West Side.

Lamont Hill, 59, was arrested Friday after the chase ended near Central and Chicago Avenue in the Austin neighborhood.

Authorities said the incident began outside Loretto Hospital when security escorted Hill from the building.

A paramedic was inside the ambulance, another stood by the back doors, and a third was inside the hospital. Hill allegedly jumped into the driver’s seat and took off with one paramedic still inside.

The paramedic managed to jump out of the moving ambulance about two blocks away, a Cicero spokesperson said.

Chicago police later tried to stop Hill at West Jackson Boulevard and South Central Avenue. During the confrontation, Hill allegedly rammed squad cars while trying to escape.

Police said shots were fired by an officer, though no one was struck. A law enforcement source told WGN-TV that both a squad car and the ambulance were hit by gunfire.

The pursuit continued until the stolen ambulance crashed near West Washington Boulevard and North Central Avenue, where officers took Hill into custody.

Police said three officers were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Four others involved in the crashes were also hospitalized with minor injuries.

Chicago police said Hill faces multiple charges in connection with the incident.