Patient overpowers paramedics, steals ambulance, officials say

CLARIDON, Ohio (AP) -- A woman being transported from a nursing care facility to a hospital overpowered two paramedics and stole their ambulance, driving about 17 miles through Northeast Ohio before surrendering, officials said.
Victoria Madge, 33, of Willoughby, was arrested Tuesday and could face charges of theft, assault and fleeing from law enforcement officers, Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland and State Highway Patrol Lt. Jim Sivak said.
Madge freed herself from safety restraints holding her onto the gurney and attacked the paramedic riding with her in the back of the ambulance. She clawed Erin Roesch's face and choked her, McClelland said.
The driver, paramedic Stacey Hall, 32, pulled over and ran to the back of the ambulance, where Madge kicked her to the pavement and threw Roesch, 21, out the back, McClelland said.
Roesch called 911 on her cell phone as Madge drove away on U.S. 322, where the attack took place in Claridon Township, about 30 miles east of Cleveland.
During the 911 call, Roesch described Madge as a psychiatric patient who was being taken to Geauga Hospital in Chardon for forced treatment after refusing to take her medication at Grand Valley Country Manor in Windsor.
State troopers spotted the eastbound ambulance a few miles after it crossed into Ashtabula County. The patrol set spikes in the road, which punctured three tires, forcing Madge to stop and surrender.
The paramedics were treated and released from a hospital, according to their employer, Ashtabula-based Community Care Ambulance.