BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward announced criminal charges against the man accused of leading law enforcement on a pursuit in a stolen ambulance that ended in Bakersfield.
The suspect was identified as 28-year-old Joe Prieto.
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The Tulare County DA’s office said on June 17, 2026, Prieto, who had been transported by ambulance to the Tulare hospital, allegedly stole a different ambulance, forcing an EMT to jump out of the moving vehicle.
The DA’s Office said that while he tried to drive away, Prieto nearly collided with another ambulance and an EMT who tried to stop him. After a police pursuit on southbound Highway 99, Prieto crashed in Bakersfield and was taken into custody.
A pursuit of a suspected stolen ambulance from Tulare County ended in Bakersfield Wednesday afternoon. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
Prieto is charged with carjacking, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing a pursing peace officer, taking a vehicle without consent, and receiving stolen property.
At his arraignment Monday afternoon, Prieto entered a not guilty plea and is being held in custody on no bail.
He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing conference on June 29. If convicted, Prieto faces 11 years, 4 months in prison.