Jon Hand, and Victoria E. Freile

Democrat and Chronicle

A drunk University of Rochester student took an ambulance for a brief joy ride early Thursday morning before crashing into a flower bed and getting arrested by Rochester police, officials said.

Robert C. Cordaro Jr., 22, a senior from Dunmore, Pennsylvania, pleaded not guilty in City Court Thursday morning to charges of third-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree criminal mischief, both felonies, according to City Court records. He's also accused of driving while intoxicated and driving with a blood alcohol content greater than .08 percent, both misdemeanors, and is facing numerous vehicle and traffic violations, including speeding.

Rochester Police Capt. Gary Moxley said a Rural/Metro ambulance crew responded to 740 Library Road on the UR River Campus shortly after 2:15 a.m. to treat an intoxicated male.

While the ambulance crew was assisting that person, a 22-year-old man jumped inside the ambulance and drove away, making it about a quarter-mile before "leaving the roadway and getting stuck in a flower bed on Trustee Road," Moxley said.

The ambulance, which is worth about $100,000, was damaged in the crash and had to be towed. Cordaro was uninjured when he was found behind the ambulance wheels by UR safety officers.

According to court records, Cordaro told officers he had been drinking and that taking the ambulance was "stupid." Court documents show his BAC was more than twice the legal threshold for DWI more than an hour after the crash.

According to UR athletics' website, Cordaro was a member of the Yellowjackets' football team.

He was remanded to the Monroe County Jail in lieu of $1,500 cash bail or bond and is scheduled to return to City Court on Monday morning.

This isn't the first time in recent months that a university student was accused of stealing an ambulance while intoxicated.

Colin A. Dahlberg, 23, of Pittsford, a student at the State University College at Geneseo, allegedly stole an ambulance and drove it around Geneseo while using the ambulance radio. He's facing four felonies and two misdemeanors, including two driving while intoxicated charges, and is due to appear in Livingston County Court next week.

JHAND@Gannett.com

VFREILE@Gannett.com