Alleged trooper car thief charged

By Vicki Selman - Poteau Daily News Reporter - 1/6/03

An Arkoma woman who allegedly drove away in a parked
Oklahoma Highway Patrol unit last month was recently
charged in LeFlore County in connection with the incident.

According to court records, 24-year-old Amanda Gail Pence
was charged Dec.31 with felony larceny of an automobile
and misdemeanor driving without a valid driver's license and
obstructing an officer.

The charges followed Pence's Dec. 2 arrest by Trooper Victor
Croy, who parked his patrol unit outside Performance Marine
and Tackle, located at Texas Street and State Highway 112
in Pocola, at approximately 12:15 p.m. that day and exited
the business a short time later to find that his car was gone.

Croy notified the Pocola Police Department and law
enforcement officers in the area began an immediate search
for the vehicle, which held a loaded firearm and other police-
issue items. Court record state that at approximately 12:28
p.m. a trooper with the Arkansas State Police advised Croy
that he was behind the stolen patrol car on Stateline Road
and Zero Street.

Benton initiated a traffic stop and he and Pocola Police
Officer Larry Crossland detained Pence, who was allegedly
driving the vehicle. Cray reclaimed his unit, then placed
Pence under arrest and transported her to the LeFlore
County Jail.


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