Police Standoff With Alleged Plymouth Ambulance Thief Over

After a standoff with police that lasted over six hours, the supect in has surrendered to authorities. 

According to Norristown Police Chief Russell Bono, officers arrived at 356 East Penn Street shortly after 6:30 a.m. looking for 39-year-old Carlos Bouie, the subject they believed stole a Plymouth Community Ambulance vehicle from an emergency scene late yesterday afternoon at the Department of Public Welfare on New Hope Street.

"When officers arrived, the subject ran up onto the roof of his home out a second floor window and then from that roof went onto a neighbors roof," said Chief Bono. "He placed himself in such a position that it was very dangerous for police officers to make any attempt to go up and get him."

Officers cordoned off the 300 block of East Penn Street and did request a ladder from Norristown Public Works to try and access the roof, but Bouie remained sequestered for over six hours while police and negotiators from Montgomery County Emergency Services (MCES) tried to talk him down.

Bouie's sister arrived on the scene shortly before noon and police allowed her to bring her brother food and aid in talking him into surrendering to authorities.

Bouie eventually surrendered to police at approximately 12:50 p.m. and was, ironically, transported by ambulance to Montgomery County Emergency Services Building 50 for evaluation.

Chief Bono praised both his officers and the negotiators from MCES for keeping the situation under control under such tense circumstances.

"These were difficult circumstances, in a hot house out on a hot roof," said Chief Bono."I was very concerned about sending officers up on that roof. There was no way we could do it safely... but it all ended peacefully and no one got hurt."

Charges are pending for Bouie, who is currently in custody at MCES.

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