Woman claims she stole ambulance to flee abusive boyfriend in Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A woman accused of stealing an ambulance from a Houston fire station says she did it to get away from an abusive boyfriend.

Houston police say the woman stole Ambulance 17 around midnight as first responders were in the living quarters of the station.

They tracked the ambulance using GPS, and officers caught up with the woman on Hempstead Road southbound towards the Katy Freeway.

When officers attempted to pull the woman over, she refused to stop and led police in a chase.

She eventually stopped on Smith Street at Congress Avenue and was taken into custody.

The woman told police the ambulance was the best chance she had to flee her abusive relationship.

She now faces charges of felony evading and unauthorized use of a vehicle.