Thompson RCMP are reporting that a 20-year-old York Landing man has been arrested and charged in connection to a recent incident involving mischief and a stolen ambulance.
On July 8, 2023, at approximately 9pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a male jumping in front of traffic and punching vehicles on Princeton Drive in Thompson. A few minutes later, police were notified that an ambulance had crashed into a tree near that location.
Police attended the area and located a male suspect in the driver’s seat of the ambulance. It was discovered that this was the same male who had been jumping in traffic.
Police learned that a minivan was also damaged at the same location, after being hit by the ambulance.
Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and were able to extract the driver from the ambulance. The driver of the ambulance, along with the five occupants of the minivan, were transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Investigation has determined that 20-year-old Draven Beardy from York Landing, Manitoba, stole the ambulance at the time when EMS were on scene in response to the incident related to the male suspect punching vehicles. When the suspect attempted to leave the scene, the ambulance collided with the minivan and crashed into a tree in front of Assiniboine Place.
RCMP report that Draven Beardy is facing numerous charges related to this incident including dangerous operation causing bodily harm, uttering threats, theft of vehicle, and possession of property obtained by crime. Beardy remains in custody and further charges may be pending.
