Overview
- The incident began around 5:35 p.m. on Feb. 17 in Wisconsin Rapids as two paramedics treated a secured patient in the back of an ambulance.
- Authorities say 37-year-old Benjamin Feltz of Nekoosa entered the driver’s seat, forcing the paramedics to exit for safety before driving off with the patient still inside.
- The pursuit spanned roughly 18 miles over about 40 minutes across Wood County, with multiple failed stop-stick attempts before Pittsville officers deflated a front passenger tire.
- After the ambulance became stuck in a muddy field near Pittsville, officers used a drone for overwatch and approached with ballistic shields before taking Feltz into custody naked and unarmed.
- Police report no injuries to the suspect or patient, the ambulance sustained minor damage and was towed, and Feltz is held on tentative counts including operating without consent, obstructing emergency personnel, recklessly endangering safety, lewd behavior, threats to law enforcement, disorderly conduct, and third-offense OWI.