KY man stole three cars in one day after failing to steal ambulance, police say

Christopher Leach, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jul 11, 2025

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A Kentucky man is accused of trying to steal an ambulance, stealing multiple vehicles and attempting to run over a man with one of them, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

The crime spree began around 11:30 p.m. Thursday when the sheriff’s office learned a man was trying to steal an ambulance at Wayne County Hospital. The man, later identified as Anthony Dykes, was unable to break into the ambulance, but he did steal a Ford Fusion and drive away, the sheriff’s office said.

About 15 minutes later, the sheriff’s office received a report that Dykes had stolen a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at a family member’s home on O.P. Link Road. The sheriff’s office said Dykes asked to use a phone before taking off in the pickup truck.

The Ford Fusion was found nearby, according to the sheriff’s office.

Dykes later crashed the truck near East Kentucky Highway 790. The sheriff’s office said a man stopped to assist Dykes after the wreck, and Dykes jumped into the man’s Chevrolet Suburban and left.

Dykes then turned around and attempted to run over the man, according to the sheriff’s office. The Suburban was later found in the parking lot behind the Monticello Wayne County Museum.

The stolen Chevrolet Silverado was found in a gully on the highway near the Liberty Cemetery Road, the sheriff’s office said.

Dykes was found walking down West Columbia Avenue in Monticello around 2:23 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office. He was arrested and charged with three counts of theft by unlawful taking — auto.

Dykes is being held at the Wayne County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office.

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