Hernando County Fire & Emergency Services ambulance was parked in the ambulance bay while paramedics were inside the hospital dropping off a patient.
When paramedics returned, they realized the ambulance had been stolen and deputies said they determined 29-year-old Trey Cornwell was behind the wheel.
Cornwell is accused of driving the stolen ambulance about 8 miles away where he got it stuck in sand and mud as he was driving toward a body of water.
Cornwell ditched the ambulance aonly to be arrested nearby a short time later.
