ST. LOUIS – An O’Fallon, Missouri, man was convicted Thursday for stealing an ambulance in October 2022 and leading police on a chase into St. Louis City.
According to prosecutors with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, Dwane Vardiman, 49, spent the night of October 2 at Mercy Hospital in Festus after overdosing on fentanyl.
Around 8:30 a.m. the following day, Vardiman stole a Valle Ambulance District vehicle that was parked outside the hospital. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said multiple agencies followed the ambulance along northbound Interstate 55. Once the vehicle traveled into St. Louis County, Jefferson County deputies terminated their pursuit.
The ambulance continued onward into St. Louis City, swerving in and out of traffic and through construction zones. Vardiman got on and off the interstate multiple times.
Vardiman struck two SLMPD vehicles and a car driven by a bystander. He eventually stopped just after 10 a.m. in the 7600 block of Broadway after police deployed spike strips and deflated the tires on the ambulance.
No one was injured during the pursuit.
Vardiman was found guilty of resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle. Despite the conviction, Vardiman remains free on bond. City prosecutors requested his bond be revoked, citing prior convictions in St. Charles County for stealing, sexual misconduct, forgery, and identity theft.
Varidman will be sentenced in September.