Boise Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges in Ambulance Theft and Crash
BOISE, Idaho – Sarah Elizabeth George, 46, of Boise, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges stemming from an incident where she allegedly stole an ambulance and crashed it into the Portico North building in Meridian. The arraignment took place in U.S. District Court in Boise.
George faces two counts of malicious destruction of property. One charge relates to the malicious destruction of government property by fire and the other concerns the malicious destruction of property used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Each count carries a potential sentence of no less than five years and no more than 20 years in prison, along with a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
According to court documents and police reports, the incident began late Wednesday night, February 18, 2026. At approximately 9:17 p.m., George purchased two gasoline containers, fire starters, gloves, and other items at a Walmart in Meridian. Investigators were led to this information after discovering a Walmart bag containing a container of lighter fluid inside the stolen ambulance.
Surveillance footage from the Walmart showed a person matching George’s description making the purchases. Police further traced her movements to a Fred Meyer gas station at 9:29 p.m., where she filled the gasoline containers and fueled a dark blue Dodge Dakota pickup truck, using a loyalty or rewards card in her name.
At approximately 11 p.m., George allegedly stole a Canyon County Paramedics ambulance from outside St. Luke’s Emergency Center in Meridian, shortly after paramedics had transferred a patient into the hospital. CCTV footage from inside the ambulance reportedly showed her retrieving the gasoline jugs and the Walmart bag, which investigators believe she had stashed beforehand.
Police say George then drove the ambulance into the south doors of the Portico North building at 11:10 p.m., crashing into the lobby and pouring gasoline across the floor. She then fled the scene on foot.
Meridian Police were able to locate George after reviewing dash camera footage showing her crossing a street after leaving the ambulance. Surveillance video from RC Willey’s parking lot also captured her walking back toward Primary Health and entering the dark blue pickup truck.
Law enforcement identified George through Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles records, matching her physical characteristics and DMV photo to the surveillance footage obtained from Walmart and Fred Meyer. Investigators also identified a blue Dodge Dakota truck registered to Russell and Crystal George, whose relationship to Sarah Elizabeth George is currently unknown, as the vehicle used for transportation on the night of the incident.
Police also stated they found a Facebook page they believe is linked to George, which contained a post from the morning of February 18th featuring an AI-generated image of the White House on fire with the caption, “If it can be destroyed by truth then it should be destroyed. it was built in lies anyways….” Authorities believe this post indicates an intent to set the building on fire.
George appeared in court wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and shackles, speaking only to answer the judge’s questions. She remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for March 3, where a judge will determine if she can be released before trial. A jury trial is currently scheduled for April 20, with a trial readiness hearing set for April 9.
Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on the case. George’s defense attorney was not immediately available for comment following the arraignment.
