Man steals ambulance, leads police on wild chase

LYNN – A wild ambulance chase through four communities came to an end around 6 p.m. Friday after Lynn Police located the suspect hiding in a home on Cherry Street.William Guzman, 38, of 8 Boyd St., Lawrence, was arrested in Lynn and faces multiple charges from Salem, Swampscott and Lynn for the harried romp.Salem Police charged Guzman with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, motor vehicle, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, motor vehicle, and failure to stop for a police officer.Lynn Police charged Guzman with breaking and entering, daytime, disturbing the peace, and resisting arrest, while Swampscott Police charged Guzman with operating a motor vehicle to endanger, illegally crossing the middle of the road, speeding, and operating a motor vehicle without authority.Additional charges may follow.At the time of press, it was not known whether Beverly Police charged Guzman.According to Salem Police Lt. Scott Englehardt, the incident began at Beverly Hospital around 5 p.m. where Guzman jumped into an unoccupied, running ambulance from Lyons Ambulance Service and took off at a high rate of speed.Englehardt said the department received a call from the Beverly Police Department immediately after informing them of the incident and that Guzman was en route to Salem.While driving over the Veterans Memorial Bridge, Englehardt said Guzman struck a vehicle in traffic, before he turned on Webb Street and headed toward the power plant.Two Salem police officers reportedly saw Guzman drive toward Winter Island and followed him in an effort to block his path.Guzman then rammed into one of the police cruisers causing damage before he quickly headed out of the Willows.Englehardt said the second officer then blocked off Fort Avenue with his cruiser, and got out for his safety. However, as Guzman headed toward Fort Avenue, he allegedly veered toward the officer and at the last moment, steered away and rammed the cruiser, causing extensive rear end damage.After the crash, Guzman then reportedly drove the wrong way down Derby Street.That’s when Englehardt said the officers were ordered to follow Guzman with their sirens off at a safe distance.Along the way, Williams reportedly hit and damaged about five vehicles, possibly more, in Salem as he was driving on Lafayette Street as well as at least one vehicle in Vinnin Square in Swampscott.As the chase entered Lynn, Lt. Dennis Flynn of the Lynn Police Department said the driver got stuck in traffic and decided to hastily park the ambulance in the parking lot of Salem Laundry Co. on Lewis Street, before he jumped out and ran through several yards as police chased him.”A woman saw him break into the rear door of 11 Cherry St., and we found him hiding in a rear hallway,” he said.Guzman was transported to Salem Hospital for treatment of minor injuries suffered in the motor vehicle accident in Salem.Susan Sano, a resident of 12 Portland St., said she heard several loud banging noises at the time the chase came to an end, and went outside to investigate.”I didn’t know what was going on, but my biggest concern was that everyone was safe,” she said. “I think the whole situation though is really in poor taste?if your going to steal something, take a car, don’t take an ambulance. That person could have killed someone.”