DNA, tattoos lead FBI to alleged Riverton ambulance thief
RIVERTON (WNE) — Federal investigators used DNA, surveillance video of tattoos on a suspect's legs and a recording of an inmate gossiping from lockup to track down a suspect in a 2025 ambulance theft that included a high-speed chase on the Wind River Reservation.
Garrett "Hugs" Blackburn has been charged in federal court with assault on a federal law enforcement officer and injury or depredation to U.S. property. If convicted of both felonies, Blackburn could face up to 50 years behind bars.
The complaint alleges at one point in the chase, Blackburn flipped the ambulance's emergency lights on and rammed a Bureau of Indian Affairs Wind River Police vehicle as an officer was attempting to exit, slamming the squad car door against the officer's arm.
The ambulance was stolen on May 18, 2025, from SageWest Hospital in Riverton, according to the affidavit. Officers located the ambulance in Riverton and a chase ensued.
This story was published on August 12, 2026.
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