Van stolen; 2 patients inside

SAN DIEGO — A man who stole a medical van idling outside a hospital was arrested while trying to ditch two patients who were still inside, police said.

The shuttle van had stopped at Scripps Mercy Hospital to drop off one of three patients Monday, San Diego Police Sgt. Jordan Wells said.

After escorting the patient into the hospital, the driver came outside and saw the van being driven off.

Officers located the van and the thief — who was trying to drop off the remaining patients, both in their 60s — about five blocks from the hospital.