Student's Drunken Joyride in Stolen Ambulance Ends with Arrest
In a bizarre incident, the Uppinangady police have arrested a young student for allegedly stealing an ambulance from near the Gundya check post in Dakshina Kannada district. The accused, identified as Shodan, a 22-year-old resident of Karkala in Udupi district, was apprehended in Hassan on December 20.
The Chain of Events: From Missed Bus to Stolen Vehicle
According to the police investigation, the sequence of events began when Shodan was traveling from Udupi to his home in Bengaluru by bus. The bus made a halt near Gundya, and the student disembarked. By the time he returned, the bus had already departed, leaving him stranded.
In an attempt to continue his journey, he tried to hitch a ride from passing lorries and other vehicles. It was during this time that he noticed an ambulance parked nearby. Finding the key left inside the vehicle, he allegedly took the opportunity, got behind the wheel, and drove the ambulance all the way to Hassan district.
The police stated that the accused, a student, is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. His journey in the stolen ambulance came to an abrupt halt in Hassan reportedly because the vehicle ran low on fuel, forcing him to stop.
Driver's Routine and the Theft Complaint
The stolen ambulance belonged to a driver named Suresh, 46, from Kadaba. In his complaint to the police, Suresh explained his routine of parking the ambulance near the Gundya check post every night, locking it, and going home.
However, on the night of December 19, he made a crucial exception. Anticipating potential emergency calls and for the convenience of an alternate driver, he left the key inside the ambulance. The next morning, he discovered the vehicle was missing, prompting him to file a formal complaint.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Following Suresh's complaint, the Uppinangady police station registered a case under the relevant sections of the law. A coordinated investigation was launched with the assistance of the Hassan district police.
Through their efforts, the accused was located, interrogated, and subsequently placed under arrest. The police successfully recovered the stolen ambulance. Shodan was then produced before the court to face legal proceedings for his actions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with leaving keys in unattended vehicles, even for seemingly practical reasons, and highlights the swift action taken by the police across district lines to solve the case.
