ST. LOUIS — The man who was accused of stealing an ambulance in 2022 from a hospital in Jefferson County, and then sending police on a chase through the city has been found guilty.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office has reported that Dwane Vardiman, 49, was found guilty of resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle Thursday.
On October 2, 2022, Vardiman was at Mercy Hospital in Festus, Missouri, as a patient due to a Fentanyl overdose, according to the press release. Vardiman stayed overnight and the next morning, witnesses saw him steal an ambulance that belonged to Valle Ambulance District parked outside of the hospital.
According to the Circuit Attorney's Office, Vardiman drove the ambulance to St. Louis city. St. Louis Metropolitan patrolman spotted the ambulance speeding down Jefferson Avenue and began to pursue the driver.
The attorney's office said that Vardiman drove through construction zones and red lights. He also hit two police cars and one civilian car.
“This office takes reckless driving extremely seriously,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore in a press release. “It is fortunate — and remarkable — that no one was injured by the defendant’s irresponsible behavior.”
After a 20-minute pursuit, SLMPD deployed spikes, deflating his tires, according to the attorney's office.
The prosecutors wanted his bond revoked after he was found guilty but the press release statement said that Vardiman is currently free.
In St. Charles County Vardiman has previously been convicted of stealing, sexual misconduct, forgery, and identity theft.
His sentencing will take place in September, the attorney's office said.
