South Kingstown Emergency Vehicle Stolen: Police

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — A Charlestown man was arrested Sunday after South Kingstown police said he stole an emergency vehicle from the EMS South Station.

Ryan Manning, 34, was charged with driving without consent of owner or lessee, possession of stolen vehicle or parts, injuring or tampering with vehicles and larceny under $1,500.

Police said the vehicle was stolen from the EMS station at 510 Commodore Perry Highway around 2:30 p.m. The vehicle was recovered unoccupied in the breakdown lane of Interstate-95 northbound in Cranston.

Members of the Rhode Island State Police, Cranston Police and Providence Police were advised of the theft and given a description of the suspect. Around 3:25 p.m., Rhode Island State Police said they saw Manning walking in the area of I-95 and Route 10, just a short distance from where police found the emergency vehicle.

After a brief chase on foot, State Police arrested Manning and turned him over to South Kingstown officers, police said.

After further investigation, police said they learned Manning was at South County Hospital, stole a security guard's cell phone, then tried stealing a vehicle from the hospital parking lot. Then, he stole the emergency vehicle in the back lot of South Station, which is next to the hospital, police said.

"Thankfully for the quick action and strong communication between our South Kingstown officers and Rhode Island State Police, the EMS vehicle was recovered without damage and Ryan Manning was apprehended without incident," Police Chief Matthew Moynihan said in a statement. "This is an excellent example of how our law enforcement agencies work effectively together for a successful outcome."

Manning is scheduled to be arraigned in Washington County District Court on Monday morning.