HONOLULU -- A judge sentenced a 23-year-old woman who hijacked an ambulance to nine months in prison on Tuesday.

Judge Karen Ahn gave Saralyn Lopes four months credit of time served and five years probation.

Paramedics were tending to a patient in Kakaako in March when Lopes jumped in the ambulance, claimed she had a gun and started driving.

Lopes faced a maximum of 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to all charges including second-degree robbery and second-degree assault.

Prosecutors asked for at least 18 months in prison, saying it sends the wrong message to show leniency to a habitual substance abuser who put several people in danger.

The defense claimed Lopes received devastating news the day of the crime. They would not specify what that news was, but they said she is sorry.

"I apologize for my actions and I apologize for the patient. That's all," Lopes said in court.

Ahn said that considering the defendant took responsibility immediately, has no prior criminal record and is seeking drug treatment, a longer sentence was not justified.