A North Carolina man was arrested for allegedly hijacking an ambulance carrying his three-year-old son and leading police on a chase Tuesday morning, police say.
Bobby Glenn, 22, called 911 and told dispatchers that he needed an ambulance for his son while he needed the police for himself, WSOC reported.
“I need the ambulance and the police. My son needs the ambulance and I need the police,” Glenn reportedly said during the call.
“Ok what do you need the ambulance for?” the dispatcher asked.
“My son,” Glenn said.
Police said Glenn became combative with the dispatcher when the dispatcher pressed him for more details.
After their conversation, two ambulances arrived at the scene, and Glenn chose the one that would allow him to sit up front with the driver.
Once the vehicle started moving, he allegedly hijacked it and provided the driver with turn-by-turn directions.
“He was forcing the paramedics to drive the vehicle where he told them to, against their will,” said Gaston County EMS Major J. H. McConnell.
When the vehicle passed a police officer, paramedics made a cryptic call to dispatchers, saying the man was in front and would not let them stop or go to the hospital, WGHP reported.
After Glenn had led police on a half-mile chase, police were able to get in front of the ambulance and force the driver to pull over.
Authorities said Glenn resisted arrest and assaulted police officers before they took him into custody. Glenn was hospitalized with an elevated heart rate before police took him to jail, WLOS reported.
Glenn is facing charges of first-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor child abuse.
His son waited with police until the Gaston County Department of Social Services arrived to care for the boy.
Police are still trying to determine Glenn’s motive for the hijacking and how his three-year-old son was involved.