San Francisco DA Files Felony Charges on Ambulance Carjacker

Francisco Vargas-Osorio was charged with multiple felonies Monday for carjacking an ambulance and trying to run over two paramedics in August, the District Attorney’s Office said.

The charges include two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking, vandalism, receiving a stolen vehicle and vehicle theft. 

Vargas-Osorio, who was arrested by San Francisco Police Department officers on Dec. 8, remains in custody.

On Aug. 29, Vargas-Osorio allegedly struck and broke the windows of an ambulance parked at Best Buy in the city's South of Market neighborhood. He attempted to run over two San Francisco Fire Department paramedics who had escaped from the vehicle, according to the DA’s Office. The paramedics were unharmed.

“Vargas-Osorio will be held accountable for these crimes, as senseless, unprovoked, violent attacks are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a press release.

The announcement of felony charges comes after San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798, the union that represents SFFD employees, had demanded action from Mayor London Breed and Jenkins.

Local 798 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors are pushing to have Vargas-Osorio remain jailed ahead of trial. Vargas-Osorio faces 15 years to life in state prison if he is found guilty on all charges.