Man steals ambulance in Kiryat Yam, claims: 'It was blocking the road'

A 48-year-old man from Kiryat Yam stole an ambulance that was parked with the engine running and air conditioning on last Wednesday, while the driver was helping a patient out of her home. Police located the abandoned vehicle near the beach, and the suspect, Michael Levin, was arrested on Thursday evening. He drove without a license while drunk and stole money and property. In interrogation, he claimed the ambulance 'was blocking him and other road users.' The court extended his remand by three days.

Last Wednesday, an ambulance parked with the engine running and air conditioning on was stolen in Kiryat Yam, while the driver had stepped out to help a patient from her home. The vehicle was abandoned shortly afterward near the city's beach. The suspect, Michael Levin, 48, from Kiryat Yam, was identified by intelligence coordinators of the Zvulun station who reviewed security cameras and recognized him from similar offenses, but he was not located until Thursday evening. He was arrested, spent the night in custody, and the next day (Friday) was brought before the Haifa Magistrate's Court. Police allege he stole the vehicle, drove it without a license while drunk, and stole money and property from it. In the hearing, a police representative said Levin tied himself to the act and did not deny driving the ambulance, but offered an original excuse: the ambulance 'was blocking him and other road users,' so he decided to move it. The stolen money and property have not yet been found, and Levin denies involvement. His attorney, Naji Amar, from the Public Defender's Office, petitioned for his release, but Judge Nir Zaituni ruled there was reasonable suspicion of committing the offenses, partially accepted the request of Zvulun station investigators, and ordered his remand extended by three days. On Sunday, he will be brought before a judge again if police do not release him earlier.