San Francisco police arrested a 43-year-old man Monday morning after he became violent, barricading himself inside a fire department ambulance and smashing the rear windows, authorities said.
Paramedics were dispatched to respond to a medical emergency around 5:30 a.m. to Mission and Capp streets, the San Francisco Fire Department said.
After paramedics got the patient to the back of the ambulance, he “turned violent” and began throwing medical supplies at the crew, fire officials said.
Members of the crew were able to safely get out of the vehicle while the man destroyed medical equipment, officials said.
Officers responded around 5:42 p.m. to find the man barricaded inside the ambulance, San Francisco police said.
Members of the San Francisco Police Department’s Hostage Negotiation Team were able to remove the man from the vehicle to allow paramedics to finish evaluating him, authorities added. He was then taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation.
The man was arrested on suspicion of vandalism, possessing an incendiary device, resisting arrest, interfering with firefighters or emergency personnel, attempted arson and a probation violation.
The incident prompted a 10-minute closure of Muni’s 27, 48 and 67 bus lines, according to the transit agency. Drivers and pedestrians were asked by the Department of Emergency Management to avoid the area during the incident.