Ambulance Joy Rider Pleads Guilty; Sentencing Set for February

54 year old Anthony Scott Hogue is now awaiting sentencing after he appeared in court Wednesday.  Hogue pled guilty to a class 2 felony of unlawful possession of a stolen or converted vehicle.  In the early morning hours of September 27^th, Hogue came across an unoccupied 2022 E350 ambulance belonging to the White County Ambulance Service and proceeded to take it for a joyride.  A concerned citizen would eventually call dispatch after hearing the ambulance doing burnouts at a parking lot near Pundrakes.  As per the plea agreement, charges of Theft of Government Property Valued ad more than $100,000, a class X Felony, Burglary, a class 3 Felony, and a class A Misdemeanor of Resisting a Peace Officer were dismissed.

Hogue is looking at anywhere from 3 – 14 years behind bars or up to 4 years of probation/conditional discharge.  That will be up to the judge.  Hogue’s sentencing has been set for February 1^st at 1pm.

Original story:

A White County Ambulance emergency vehicle is back where it belongs after being taken for a joy ride early Wednesday morning.  The alleged thief, identified as 54-year-old Anthony Scott Hogue of Carmi apparently found the 2022 E350 ambulance unoccupied around 4:15am Wednesday morning and spent the next hour with it.  A concerned citizen called dispatch after hearing the ambulance doing burnouts at a parking lot near Pundrakes.  Authorities were able to identify the suspect by camera footage and Hogue was taken into custody shortly after 6am.  Carmi Chief of Police Jason Carter confirms Hogue has been arrested and is lodged in the White County Jail.  He’s facing charges of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Theft of Government Property valued at more than $100,000, and Burglary.  White County Ambulance Director Adam Allen says it’s been typical practice for years to leave keys in the ambulances so that they’re ready to go as quickly as possible when emergencies arise.

Hogue was in trouble earlier this year and took a plea deal after his arrest in April.  At that time, he had been charged with Criminal Trespass, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting a Peace Officer.  The state would dismiss the trespass and disorderly charges in return for a guilty plea to resisting arrest.  On April 12^th, Hogue was given a 6-month stayed jail sentence and released on 2 years conditional discharge.