Man charged with stealing Horry County ambulance from hospital

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WPDE) — A Myrtle Beach man was arrested after police say he stole an Horry County ambulance from Waccamaw Hospital, according to a news release.

Lester Norman Sitzler, 52, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with driving under the influence and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

On Saturday evening, Georgetown County deputies were called to Waccamaw Hospital after the ambulance was stolen from the emergency room.

According to the HCFR Twitter page, no patients or members were in the unit when the incident happened.

The medic told deputies she parked it right outside the ambulance bay where she is supposed to park them. She then went into the hospital with the patient and when she came out, the ambulance was gone.

Hospital camera footage shows a man dressed in a black shirt and blue jeans waiting around the corner and watching the medics.

When they bring the patient inside, the video shows the man getting in the unlocked ambulance with the keys in the ignition and driving off in the direction of Old Kings Highway.

Deputies were able to access the GPS in the ambulance and find where it was.

Horry County police recovered the ambulance and neighbors in the area directed police to where the suspect ran.

He was arrested and taken to J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

Horry County Fire Rescue spokesperson Mark Nugent said no drugs were taken from the ambulance.