State College Woman Steals Police Cruiser After Being Arrested
Posted in General on January 12, 2015
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper in Williamsport arrested a State College woman, handcuffed her, and put her in the front passenger seat of his police cruiser. While the trooper was driving down the road towards the Pennsylvania State Police barracks, the woman apparently attempted to open the passenger door and get out of the cruiser. At that point, the trooper put the woman into a headlock until he could pull over. The trooper then made a huge mistake by getting out of the car but leaving the keys in the ignition. After the trooper got out of his cruiser, the State College woman locked the doors, hopped into the driver’s seat, and drove off. According to the online news report, the woman was driving erratically, which was understandable because her hands were cuffed behind her back. I am not sure how she was able to drive and keep the car on the road. The fleeing woman was ultimately stopped when the police bumped the back corner of the police car and caused it to crash into a tree.
Pennsylvania Drug Possession and Theft Charges Filed
After the police cruiser was finally stopped and the woman was taken into custody, the police searched the woman’s purse. The police found bags of heroin and hypodermic needles, which led the police to file misdemeanor drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges. The woman was also charged with Theft and Receiving Stolen Property for taking the car, and the gradings of the Pennsylvania theft offenses were felonies because the property taken was a vehicle. The State College woman was also charged with felony offenses of Escape and misdemeanor charges of Resisting Arrest, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Fleeing and Eluding, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct, and Unauthorized Use of an Automobile. In total, she is facing 16 charges. What the woman did was clearly wrong, and she should be charged and punished for her conduct. Her problem is that she embarrassed a police officer, which generally increases the number of charges that are filed and may make it more difficult for her Williamsport criminal defense lawyer to resolve her pending case.