On March 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM, Florida Highway Patrol Troopers received an alert regarding a Tampa Fire Rescue ambulance stolen from HCA South Tampa Hospital.
Within 10 minutes, Troopers located the ambulance at South Esperanza Avenue and West Bay to Bay Boulevard. Following an attempted traffic stop, the driver fled without emergency equipment activated on the ambulance.
A pursuit ensued and continued for several miles, during which time the driver ran several stop signs, drove on the wrong side of the road, and nearly collided with several other motorists. At the intersection of South Hubert Avenue and West Empedrado Street, the driver came to a stop and finished drinking a beer in full view of Troopers.
As Troopers and Tampa Police Officers attempted to take the driver and sole occupant of the ambulance into custody, he tightly held onto the steering wheel of the ambulance to resist arrest. Once secured for arrest, Esquilin explained he had been drinking for the prior two days and stole the ambulance after being denied a ride home in the vehicle by emergency personnel.
Troopers arrested 43-year-old Michael J. Esquilin of Tampa and charged him with Burglary of an Emergency Vehicle, Grand Theft of an Emergency Vehicle, Fleeing & Eluding, Driving While License Suspended, DUI and Resisting Arrest.