On December 27, 2019 Cowlitz County Deputies were dispatched to a reported theft of an ambulance from Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue. Cowlitz 2 staff were on an aid call at a residence on Sierra Dr in Kelso, when a resident, identified as Cody James Snow, age 31, entered the unoccupied ambulance and drove away with it.
The ambulance was located traveling Southbound on I-5 with its own emergency lights activated. The suspect refused to stop for Washington State Patrol troopers and Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies. The ambulance used all lanes of travel and continued at speeds of 80 to 90 MPH. A WSP trooper successfully deployed spike strips, causing the ambulance tires to deflate. The ambulance then pulled into the median near milepost 24 and became stuck on the BNSF railroad tracks.
Suspect Cody Snow was located inside the ambulance but did not comply with deputies' orders. Cowlitz County Sheriff K-9 Icarus was deployed and successfully extracted Snow from the ambulance. Snow was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies confirmed the ambulance contained controlled medications as well as a wallet and credit cards belonging to one of the Cowlitz 2 employees. The ambulance had to be taken out of service for inspection and repairs.
Cody Snow was booked into Cowlitz County Jail on charges of Theft of Motor Vehicle, Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement Officer, Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree, Theft 2nd Degree, Violation of Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Driving With Suspended License 3rd Degree.