Stolen Ambulance Hits Building, Gas Line In Lower Pottsgrove

POTTSTOWN, PA — An ambulance drove into a building last week in Pottstown, causing a gas line leak and triggering an evacuation of neighbors, police said. It was soon discovered the ambulance had been stolen.

Lower Pottsgrove Police were called to 2047 E. High St. on Monday, Aug. 3 where the crash happened. Police learned afterward that the ambulance was stolen from Pottstown Hospital's emergency bay.

Hospital staff helped police obtain video footage and a photo of a suspect behind the wheel of the ambulance, whom police believed to be Raheem Jackson. Police did not immediately find or apprehend the suspect.

After the ambulance struck the building on E. High Street and a gas line, police said neighboring businesses were evacuated, and the area at Heritage Drive and Sunnybrook Road was shut down.

When officers arrived at the accident scene, fire responders were already there, police said.

Norristown Police later identified and apprehended Jackson at 4:45 p.m. Aug. 3, according to reports.

Jackson,31, was arraigned by District Justice Edward C. Kropp Sr., on Tuesday Aug. 4. in relation to the incident, as well as a similar incident that occurred in Pottstown. He is charged with theft by unlawful taking, institutional vandalism, trespass by motor vehicle, and both reckless and careless driving.

Jackson is in custody of Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Bail was set at $200,000 cash.