Patient who allegedly carjacked ambulance is charged

The man accused of stealing a Los Angles Fire Department ambulance and leading police on a chase Sunday night that ended in a traffic collision faces four carjacking-related charges.

Mohamed Zahir has been charged with four counts -- two for carjacking and one each for attempted carjacking and fleeing a pursuing officer’s car causing serious bodily injury. If convicted, Zahir could serve up to 16 years and two months in prison, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

The events unfolded when paramedics responded to a medical call in the 200 block of North San Pedro Street in downtown L.A. at about 6:30 p.m. While being treated, Zahir allegedly unbuckled himself from the gurney inside the ambulance and ran away before unsuccessfully trying to steal a woman’s Toyota Camry nearby, authorities said.

Moments later, Zahir hopped into the ambulance’s front seat and began to drive off, prompting paramedics to jump out the back door, authorities said.

The police chase ended when Zahir crashed into a white van at the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Union Avenue, injuring two women who were sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

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