Oswego, NY -- A patient at Oswego Hospital's emergency room stole a city ambulance Friday morning, but it was found minutes later parked just blocks away, police said. Witnesses told Oswego police that Matthew K. Belskis, 40, of Saratoga Springs, assaulted a hospital security guard about 10:46 a.m. and then drove off in an ambulance that was parked outside...
Mathew K. BelskisWitnesses told Oswego police that Matthew K. Belskis, 40, of Saratoga Springs, assaulted a hospital security guard about 10:46 a.m. and then drove off in an ambulance that was parked outside the emergency entrance.
Police found the ambulance nine minutes later on West Mohawk Street near Liberty Street. Belskis, they said, was found in a nearby home that he had entered unlawfully.
Belskis was arrested and arraigned in Oswego City Court on a charge of robbery in the second degree. He was sent to Oswego County jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.
He's due back in court Tuesday.
The security guard suffered minor injuries, police said.
“We are continuing the investigation to determine if any other charges will be filed," said Oswego Police Chief Michael Dehm. "We are thankful that no one was seriously injured and that we were able to recover the ambulance and take the suspect into custody so quickly after the incident.”
Oswego Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie said he was also glad no one was hurt and the ambulance recovered. "I would like to emphasize that, at no time, were emergency medical services compromised,” he said.
Contact Charles McChesney at cmcchesney@syracuse.com.