COLUMBUS — At approximately 9:30 a.m., on March 18, a report of a kid napped woman in a vehicle on Highway 90 near County Road 213 sent local law enforcement rushing to the scene. A call came into the Colorado County Sher- iff's Dispatch from a lone female who claimed she was abducted in Austin and locked in the trunk by two black males.
Authorities located the woman using her phone's location, and a sheriff's dep uty found the vehicle. While no males were present, the deputy did locate the female. EMS arrived at the scene, checked on her, and then transported her to Columbus Community Hospital ER. However, the “victim” managed to hijack the EMS unit (Medic 5) and fled from the ER.
Law enforcement quickly tracked down the vehicle and initiated a pursuit as the female got on the radio and mocked and laughed at the officers chas ing her. While the EMS vehicle sped down Highway 71 South and then onto County Road 101, reaching speeds of 71 mph and over 50 mph on the coun - ty road, officers had the last laugh when spike strips were deployed.
The EMS vehicle careened off the road, crashed through a fence, and crashed into trees and brush on CR 101 near Hwy 71.
Quick action from numerous law enforcement officers across multiple agencies contained the hijacked vehicle, keeping it off Hwy 71 and potentially saving lives. Once the vehicle came to a stop, officers swarmed the suspect and took her into custody. Another EMS unit arrived and transported her.
This is a developing story, and the investigation is ongoing. More information in next edition on March 27.
