This terrifying ordeal could have been much worse. Someone hijacked a Chicago-area ambulance and fled across the city, causing multiple crashes. Luckily, the crew is fine, no patients were onboard, and the police have a suspect in custody.

Suspect jumps into waiting ambulance

Just before 5 p.m., three EMTs were delivering a patient to a Cicero hospital. Hospital security was escorting a man out at the same time. He jumped into the waiting vehicle and drove away. One paramedic was still inside the ambulance.

The stolen ambulance smashed into multiple civilian vehicles. It also struck at least three CPD squad cars, including two at an intersection around 3:55 p.m.

Paramedic escapes speeding vehicle

The paramedic trapped in the speeding vehicle managed to leap out two blocks later.

After it became clear the driver was endangering bystanders, police fired two shots at the ambulance near 300 S. Central but weren’t able to stop it.

Thirty minutes after the chase began, the ambulance rear-ended a civilian vehicle. The suspect fled on foot, but police quickly caught him.

The CPD says no bystanders sustained serious injuries. It has not identified the suspect or announced any charges.