Authorities: 83-Year-Old Checks Self Out Of LI Hospital, Steals Ambulance
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Authorities in Nassau County say an 83-year-old man has been arrested after checking himself out of a hospital and stealing an ambulance.
Police say Donald Winkler, of Merrick, was upset with the quality of care he was receiving and checked himself out of Nassau University Medical Center around 1 a.m. Tuesday. Investigators say Winkler then stole an ambulance from the hospital parking lot that had the keys in the ignition.
Police say they later found the man at a nearby 7-Eleven. Investigators say he admitted to taking the ambulance.
Employees at the 7-Eleven worked to keep Winkler on the scene before the cops arrived.
"Joe offered him some coffee and stuff so that he would stay until the cops came," employee Justin Haas told WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron.
Winkler was arrested, taken back to the hospital and evaluated. Police arraigned him at his bed.
Winkler is charged with second-degree grand larceny. It was not known if Winkler had an attorney.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)