Suspect Arrested for Stealing Ambulance

On July 24, 2018, at 11:30am, we responded to a call for a stolen ambulance.  A short time later, officers arrested Todd (Tanner) Shell, age 37, for stealing an ambulance from Banner Desert Hospital.

Shell had just been released from the hospital for a heat related situation.  When officers interviewed Shell after his arrest, he said when he came out of the hospital he thought it was too hot to walk home.  He walked back towards the hospital when he found the ambulance running in the bay while the crew was dropping off another patient.  Shell decided to take the ambulance at that point so he wouldn't have to walk.

Officer immediately responded and with the assistance of GPS located the ambulance driving eastbound on the US60.  Mesa officers and DPS troopers attempted to stop Shell, but he continued driving at normal speeds.  Ultimately he exited the freeway and stopped near Val Vista and University.  Shell said that he wanted to buy a sandwich, but need to go home and get some money first. He said that he intended to return the ambulance.

The ambulance was not damaged and returned to service.

Shell was booked for the listed charges:

1 count Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation, a class 5 Felony
1 count Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement, a class 5 Felony

Todd (Tanner) Shell