Idaho police search for suspect who stole ambulance, crashed it into DHS building

Authorities say the suspect stole the ambulance, sprayed it with an incendiary substance, and then crashed it into a government building.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Idaho authorities are searching for a suspect who they say stole an ambulance from outside a hospital, sprayed it with an incendiary substance, and then crashed it into a Department of Health and Services building. The incident caused significant damage to the government facility, though no injuries have been reported.

Why it matters

Ambulance thefts are a rare but serious crime that can put public safety at risk. This incident raises concerns about security measures at hospitals and government buildings, as well as the mental health and motivations of the suspect involved.

The details

According to police, the suspect stole the ambulance from outside a Boise hospital, sprayed it with an unknown flammable substance, and then deliberately crashed it into a nearby DHS office building. The impact caused significant damage to the government facility, though no injuries have been reported. Authorities are still searching for the suspect and investigating the motive behind the crime.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Idaho authorities

Law enforcement officials in the state of Idaho who are investigating the ambulance theft and building crash.

Department of Health and Services (DHS)

The government agency whose building was damaged in the incident.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for heightened security measures at hospitals and government facilities to prevent such brazen crimes from occurring. Authorities will continue to investigate the suspect's motives and identity in order to hold them accountable.