Man Leaves Hospital, Drops Drugs, Steals Van: Melrose Police

MELROSE, MA — Police arrested two people who crashed an ambulance wheelchair van stolen from outside MelroseWakefield Hospital Thursday morning. Nicholas Burke, 23, of Peabody was arrested for allegedly stealing the vehicle. His passenger, who police did not identify, was also arrested.

Police said the Armstrong Ambulance non-emergency transport wheelchair van was reported missing between 6:30 and 6:40 a.m. It had arrived outside the emergency room to pick up a patient who was being discharged.

Police said surveillance footage showed Burke leave the hospital, close the rear doors of the van, and drive away down Rowe Street. No one was in the van, and no medical equipment or medications were aboard.

Police also said Burke dropped a bag containing a white powdery substance, believed to be narcotics, when leaving the hospital.

State Police said they were alerted to the ambulance by a driver on Route 1 in Peabody. When authorities attempted to stop the van, the suspects allegedly refused to stop and led police on a chase into Lynn, where they crashed into a parked car.

The two men are scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Peabody District Court. They also face summons to Lynn District Court related to a shoplifting incident earlier in the day.

Burke may also be transferred to Malden District Court to be arraigned on the Melrose charges related to the alleged van theft and drug possession.