A Columbia man charged with stealing an ambulance as paramedics responded to a medical call will have his case proceed to county court following a preliminary hearing. 

Judge Miles Bixler ruled July 28 that the case of Elijah Jordan Leed, of the 1000 block of Barber Street, could proceed to the Court of Common Pleas on charges of theft by unlawful taking and driving without a license.

Leed, 23, is accused of stealing the ambulance as it was parked in the 1100 block of Grinnell Avenue during the early morning hours of July 20.

A paramedic who witnessed the incident told police he was responding to a medical call inside a nearby residence when Leed entered the ambulance and began driving away shortly after 4:30 a.m. Leed drove the ambulance in a large circle before returning it to where it had been initially located, the paramedic said.

When Leed returned he was removed from the driver’s seat of the ambulance and restrained until police arrived, the paramedic told law enforcement. 

Not only did Leed not have permission to drive the ambulance, but he does not have a valid driver’s license at all, according to police.

Leed remains in Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Columbia Borough Police Officer Zachary Thorne filed the charges.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.