Suspect Steals Ambulance and Rams Building Housing DHS Offices in Meridian, Idaho

​IDAHO - On February 19 a suspect stole a Canyon County Paramedics ambulance from St. Luke’s West in Meridian, retrieved gas cans staged in nearby vegetation, and drove the vehicle into the Portico North building that leases space to Department of Homeland Security offices.

The suspect poured accelerant inside and around the ambulance but failed to ignite it before fleeing on foot as responding officers arrived. No injuries occurred and the building was unoccupied at the time.

The incident occurred around 11:10 p.m. local time on February 18 into the early morning hours of February 19. The suspect drove the stolen ambulance through a parking lot before crashing into the structure at an estimated speed of 25 mph.

Canyon County Paramedics confirmed no personnel were inside the ambulance and that the vehicle was unlawfully taken from their bay.

Sequence Of Events:

• Approximately 11:10 p.m. local time on February 18: 911 call received reporting the ambulance theft from St. Luke’s West location.

• Suspect retrieved gas cans staged in nearby vegetation between the hospital and Portico complex.

• Suspect drove the ambulance through the parking lot and rammed it into the Portico North building at an estimated speed of 25 mph.

• Suspect poured accelerant inside the building and around the ambulance but was unable to ignite it before fleeing on foot as responding officers arrived.

• No individuals were present in the ambulance or affected areas of the building; roads reopened before 6 a.m. on February 19.

Assessment: The sequence of events demonstrates a deliberate and targeted approach to the site, interrupted solely by rapid law enforcement response. The building remains closed with significant damage reported, though patient care at the adjacent hospital continues uninterrupted.

Official Response Meridian Police Department officials responded immediately and are treating the incident as a serious criminal matter involving attempted arson.

State and federal authorities including the FBI and ATF are assisting in the investigation. The suspect, described in reports as wearing a black shirt, tan pants, and a medical-style mask, remains at large. No motive has been publicly identified.​