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Omaha Police arrest a NE man following the pursuit of a stolen ambulance from IA

News

October 7th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska was arrested Saturday in Omaha, following a pursuit that began in Council Bluffs, with a stolen ambulance. 29-year-old Austin Patrick Risor, of Lincoln, NE, faces a charge of Theft in the First-Degree out of Iowa. He was also wanted on numerous charges in Omaha, as well as outstanding warrants.

Council Bluffs Police report a City of Council Bluffs  ambulance was stolen at around 7:28-a.m. Saturday from the Emergency Room Unloading Zone at Mercy Hospital (800 Mercy Dr, Council Bluffs, IA).  There were no patients in the ambulance at the time of the theft. Firefighters ran on foot after the ambulance unable to catch it as Risor was driving off.

Austin Risor

Council Bluffs Police pursued the ambulance into Omaha.  Omaha police took over the pursuit for a short time until ABLE 1 (Omaha Police Helicopter) picked it up and tracked the ambulance from the air.   A CBPD Crisis Negotiator utilizing the fire radio channel attempting to negotiate with Risor to get him to stop and give up.  Omaha Police were able to get the ambulance stopped in the area of 138th and Military Ave. in Omaha.

Risor was taken into custody at approximately 9:35 a.m.