On April 6, 2024, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to I-73 to assist in the search for a stolen ambulance from the emergency area of Randolph Health/Hospital which occurred at approximately 10:31 pm. Asheboro Police were actively investigating the theft of the ambulance, which belonged to Piedmont Triad Ambulance and Rescue.
Randolph Communications was able to track the vehicle, traveling north on I73/74 passing Spero Rd. at that time, and relayed the information to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP). The vehicle was located shortly after by deputies, and a chase ensued when the driver of the ambulance refused to stop. NCSHP joined the pursuit shortly after and took the lead in the pursuit in the area of Randleman Rd. approaching Guilford County. Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and Greensboro Police Department were notified and kept updated as the chase approached their jurisdiction.
The vehicle stopped in Greensboro near Holden Rd. when she collided with several Highway Patrol vehicles. The female driving the vehicle was identified as Gretchen Shaylyn Patterson. Patterson was arrested by deputies with Randolph County and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where the magistrate found probable cause for felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, misdemeanor driving while license revoked after impaired revoked notice, misdemeanor reckless driving to endanger, misdemeanor speeding, and misdemeanor fail to heed light or siren.
She was also served with charges Asheboro Police Department had obtained against Patterson for felony larceny of a motor vehicle.
The magistrate issued a $750,000 total secured bond and set a first appearance for April 8, 2024, in Randolph County District Court. Patterson was transported to the Randolph County Detention Center.
Charges from the Greensboro Police Department were served at the Randolph County Detention Center for misdemeanor hit/run leave scene property damage. Charges by NCSHP were also served for five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill an emergency worker. The magistrate issued a $1,000,000 total secured bond for those charges with a first appearance set for April 10, 2024, in Guilford County District Court.
Name of Defendant:
Gretchen Shaylyn Patterson
Age: 34
