Laughing Arrestee Drives Off In Officer's Cruiser

2/9/01 ALBUQUERQUE N.M. - A woman arrested for driving under the 
influence managed to kick out a partition in a police vehicle and 
drive off as her arresting officer gave chase on foot.

Officer Ty Morgan arrested Louise Castillo, 33, early Thursday on 
suspicion of drunken driving and placed her into the back seat of 
his patrol vehicle. Morgan left his engine running as he checked 
out Castillo's vehicle and one passenger more thoroughly.

Subsequently Morgan wrote in his police report, "I heard the engine of 
my police car revving up . I turned and saw Castillo in the driver's 
seat of my police car. I gave chase on foot as I observed my car run 
into several curbs."

Castillo drove for several blocks before striking a telephone pole and 
disabling the patrol vehicle. Castillo then fled from the scene on foot. 

Castillo's amusement and freedom was short-lived, however, as a tracking 
dog found her a short time later hiding in some bushes outside of a 
private residence.

She was charged with felony auto theft and criminal damage to public 
property. Castillo was in the Bernalilto County Detention Center, where 
her bond was set at $5,000.


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Backup news staff writer Richard Rogers.