A tourist in Key West who wanted to get attention from police did just that after she stole an ambulance and drove it down Duval Street, authorities said.
Crystal Dawn Clampitt, 22, is facing a grand theft charge after she stole the $80,000 ambulance early Sunday morning, according to a Key West Police report.
According to the report, Clampitt, from High Point, North Carolina, had arrived in town Saturday and was staying on the island with her friend but couldn't find her.
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When Clampitt spotted the ambulance near Front and Duval Streets, she "decided to take the ambulance in an attempt to gain the attention of law enforcement," the report said.
Around 2:30 a.m., Key West Police officers spotted the vehicle driving south on Duval Street with the emergency lights on but no siren, the report said. Seconds later, police received a call that an ambulance had been stolen, and the officers pursued the vehicle, the report said.
As officers gave chase, a Key West Fire Department Fire Engine got in front of the ambulance and applied the brakes, stopping it right in front of Fat Tuesday's at 305 Duval Street, the report said.
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Clampitt was removed from the ambulance and taken into custody. Once in custody, Clampitt explained that she was unhappy with the response time from police regarding her missing friend so she decided to "take matters into her own hands," the report said.
"Clampitt told me she enjoyed driving the stolen ambulance, and thanked me for driving her to the Monroe County Detention Center while she slept," an officer wrote in the report.
Jail records show Clampitt was released later Sunday on $7,500 bond. It was unknown whether she has an attorney.
