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Suspect arrested after stolen Catawba County EMS vehicle was seen on I-40

Officials believe the vehicle was taken from Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, where police say it was left running due to refrigerated narcotics.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Winston Salem man has been taken into custody after a stolen Catawba County EMS vehicle was seen on I-40 Friday, officials confirmed.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol was notified that the stolen vehicle was traveling west on I-40 toward Iredell County Friday shortly before 10:30 a.m. 

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Officials believe the vehicle was taken from Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, where police say it was left running due to refrigerated narcotics.

State troopers found the vehicle near mile marker 154 on I-40. When the driver wouldn't stop, a pursuit ensued. At one point, the Iredell County Sheriff's Office deployed a tire deflation device, stopping the vehicle around mile marker 150. 

Credit: Iredell Firewire 360

The driver, 37-year-old Ervin Dewayne Alexander of Winston Salem, was taken into custody and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, felony speed to elude as well as other traffic offenses by the State Highway Patrol.  

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office also made charges, which are pending. 

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