Police: Maryland man arrested after stealing ambulance and colliding with vehicles during car chase

Virginia police said they arrested a Prince George's County man Saturday who stole multiple vehicles, including an ambulance, and involved more than a dozen cars in a chase that began in the Virginia suburbs and ended in the county collided.

Virginia State Police said they took into custody 30-year-old Darell T. Caldwell of Brandywine Saturday night after he collided head-on with a parked car near the intersection of 14th and D Streets in the Northwest.

Caldwell was taken to a hospital after the accident. He faces federal and criminal charges by the Virginia State Police and Arlington County Police.

A person who was in the parked car was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Authorities said Caldwell's auto theft rampage began when he stole a truck in Falls Church and the vehicle crashed into another car on Interstate 66 near Rosslyn around 3:40 p.m. Saturday.

The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Caldwell fled the scene in the same stolen vehicle, police said.

Minutes later, Caldwell, driving the same stolen truck, collided with multiple vehicles on northbound Interstate 395 near the George Washington Parkway exit.

He jumped out of the truck and fled the scene, police said. As a result of the incident, five people were taken to the hospital.

MUST SEE: This is enhanced video of the accident just before the bridge as well as some footage of the stolen ambulance chase to DC. Out of @SafetyVid & @Statter911. Media If you are interested in a video, DM me. @ARLnowDOTcom #395Rampage @TomJackmanWP pic.twitter.com/8KdrNRqjSw

— Dave Statter (@STATter911) August 12, 2023

State police said the suspect was shortly after responsible for a wrong-way collision on George Washington Parkway when he crashed into a vehicle with another stolen truck.

Arlington County EMTs arrived to treat the victims. Caldwell then jumped into the ambulance and sped away, police said.

The paramedics waved to a state police officer and told him about the stolen ambulance, prompting the officer to give a chase through parts of Pentagon City and Crystal City.

Authorities said Caldwell eventually pulled over in the street and the officer got out of his car to approach the suspect. At that point, police said he backed the ambulance into the officer's patrol car and drove off again.

Virginia State Police and Arlington County Police pursued the suspect into the county, where he crashed into the parked car and was arrested.

Police say Caldwell is under investigation for 13 hit-and-run accidents he caused while driving the ambulance. According to the authorities, neither drivers nor police officers were seriously injured.

According to court records, Caldwell pleaded guilty to assault in Maryland in 2020.

DC court filings show there is an active warrant out for Caldwell's arrest after he missed a criminal damage hearing in June.