Officials: 83 Year-Old Merrick Man Arrested After Stealing Nassau County Police Ambulance
East Meadow, NY - March 22, 2017 - Third Squad detectives report the arrest of a Merrick man for an incident that occurred in East Meadow at 1:00 am.
According to detectives, Donald Winkler, 83, who was a patient of and admitted to the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow for a medical related illness, became upset with his care and signed himself out of the hospital. Upon walking out of the emergency room doors and into the parking lot, Winkler observed and entered a Nassau County Police ambulance with the keys in the ignition and drove it away.
A short time later First Precinct officers received a 911 call for a well check on an individual who was at 7 Eleven, 1555 Jerusalem Avenue, N. Merrick. Upon their arrival they were met by Winkler who admitted to taking the ambulance which was in the parking lot. Winkler was then placed under arrest and was transported to NUMC for evaluation and treatment.
Winkler is charged with Grand Larceny 2nd Degree and was bedside arraigned at the hospital.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.