WCAS Vehicle Stolen Early Wednesday Morning

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.