Police: L.I. Woman Faces Several Charges After Escaping Custody, Stealing Ambulance
SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A woman who allegedly escaped police custody at a Long Island hospital and stole an ambulance is expected to be arraigned Friday.
Melina Silsbe, 24, of Shirley, was under police guard at St. Catherina of Siena Medical center in Smithtown, when she slipped out of her restraints around 6 p.m. Thursday, police said.
She jumped into the unoccupied ambulance, which was left running in front of the main entrance of the hospital, and took off, police said.
Silsbe led police on a chase on Jericho Turnpike through Commack and then onto the Sunken Meadow Parkway, where she eventually crashed the ambulance into another vehicle, police said.
Silsbe was arrested and taken to Southside Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.
The driver of the other vehicle was not hurt.
Silsbe was originally arrested on Wednesday "for numerous misdemeanor warrants and a felony warrant" and was taken to the hospital for a medical condition, police said.
Silsbe now faces numerous charges including escape, grand larceny, criminal mischief, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and unlawful fleeing from a police officer.