Meridian, Idaho – Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, of Boise, has been arrested and charged with attempted destruction of federal property by fire following an incident last Thursday in which a stolen ambulance was crashed into a building housing U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices, the Meridian Police Department announced Monday.
According to police, George is suspected of stealing the ambulance from Canyon County Paramedics outside St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center. Paramedic Chief Michael Stowell stated the crew had briefly left the vehicle while transporting a patient inside the hospital. Upon their return, the ambulance was gone.
The ambulance was driven into the St. Luke’s Portico North building, which contains office spaces leased by the Department of Homeland Security. Investigators found evidence that George subsequently poured gasoline both inside and outside the vehicle in an attempt to ignite the building, though the attempt failed.
“It could have been so much worse. Somebody could have been in the back of the ambulance. Somebody could have been in the lobby of that building,” Stowell said, highlighting the potential for casualties. The incident temporarily removed a Canyon County Paramedic crew from service while authorities investigated.
Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea credited “great old-fashioned police work” for the arrest, detailing a search that involved canvassing neighborhoods and reviewing camera footage across a wide area, from I-84 to Fairview, and from Locust Grove to Cloverdale. A search warrant was executed at George’s residence on Monday evening, and evidence is currently being processed by the FBI and the ATF.
Basterrechea indicated that George may face additional charges as the investigation progresses. The stolen ambulance has been removed from the building and is being held as evidence.
