Arizona Marshals have confirmed the arrest of an Alabama man who they said overpowered a deputy and stole an ambulance on June 22.
Phillip Shane Bradford, 45, was taken into custody by Arizona Marshals after a tip informed them that Bradford was in the Phoenix area.
According to Arizona Marshals, Bradford was taken into custody along with three other people, one of whom was Bradford’s girlfriend, who had outstanding charges in Alabama; both are awaiting extradition.
Bradford came into the spotlight after his brazen method of escaping police custody.
According to Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office (JCSO), on June 22, Bradford was taken to UAB to receive medical treatment in the late afternoon.
At some point, Bradford overpowered a Sheriff’s deputy and stole an ambulance which he used to escape.
The ambulance was found abandoned in Jefferson County the same day.
Bradford was previously convicted of second-degree escape, third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, attempting to elude an officer, third-degree burglary, and resisting arrest, among other crimes.
Money previously indicated that JCSO had concerns about how the deputy handled Bradford during the transfer to the hospital. She said video footage shows activity potentially inconsistent with personnel training.
The Cullman Police Department (CPD) also believes that Bradford stole a Silver 2004 GMC Envoy from a parking lot north of Birmingham in Cullman the day after his escape.
CPD claims Bradford was accompanied by a White female with blonde or brown hair. It is yet unclear if his accomplice in the Cullman truck theft is the same woman he was arrested with in Arizona.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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