Stolen Ambulance From Cobleskill, New York Leads to Wild Chase

On Saturday, August 31, at approximately 10:17 p.m., Schoharie EMS responded to Main Street in the village of Cobleskill to assist a woman experiencing a diabetic emergency.

After the patient was placed in the ambulance, Adam C. Cole, 25, of Schenectady, approached the two EMS personnel and claimed there was another medical emergency nearby. As the EMS workers stepped out of the ambulance, Cole seized the opportunity, got into the driver’s seat, and drove off.

Shortly after, a Schoharie County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the ambulance traveling east on I-88 and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Cole did not comply. State Police patrols joined the pursuit, as it was initially believed that the female patient from the original call was still inside the ambulance.

As the chase continued out of Schoharie County, State Police took the lead. The ambulance proceeded onto the NYS Thruway, I-890, and eventually entered the city of Schenectady. While traveling on Eastern Avenue, Cole collided with a 1988 Nissan 300Z at the intersection with Brandywine Avenue.

Get our free mobile app

The driver of the Nissan, Jesus Espinal Jr., 24, of Utica, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Albany Medical Center, where he is in critical condition. Cole, who was the only person in the ambulance at the time of the crash, was not seriously injured. He remains in custody, with multiple charges pending, including an active arrest warrant from the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office for Grand Larceny 3rd degree.

The investigation revealed that shortly after taking the ambulance, Cole pulled over on Route 7 in Cobleskill, where the female patient exited at a Speedway gas station. She was transported by a private vehicle to a hospital, where she was treated and released.

The Schenectady and Rotterdam Police Departments, along with the Schenectady Fire Department, provided assistance during the incident.