Policeone.Com Daily New 


Cuffed suspect allegedly steals cruiser, drives 120 mph to
next town, buys beer, calls 911 to apologize

09-07-2000
PoliceOne staff Report

ASHEBORO, N.C.-A lanky DWI suspect who was handcuffed behind his back in
police cruiser slipped off the manacles early Wednesday, slithered through the
partition into the squad car's front passenger area, drove the vehicle at the
officer who had arrested him, then took the car on a 120-plus-mph ride into
a neighboring town where his cuffs were cut, he purchased beer, and then called
911 to apologize, authorities said.

Thomasville, North Carolina Officer Ron Hines had stopped Glenn Allen Toney's
truck early Wednesday morning to tell the driver that the pickup had a broken
tail light. When Hines noticed the odor of alcohol, he administered a roadside
sobriety test which Toney failed. Six-foot, one-inch Toney's hands were cuffed
behind his back and he was placed in the squad car as the officer began to
inventory the truck before impounding it, according to Thomasville Chief 
Larry A. Murdock.

Hines heard the engine revving and looked up to see his own squad car coming
at him. The officer had to jump away to avoid being struck. With his hands
stilled cuffed, but in front of him, Toney allegedly drove the police cruiser
at greater than 120-miles-per hour more for than 20 miles into neighboring 
County. Toney had the handcuffs cut then drove to a convenience store to buy
beer, authorities said.

When Toney placed a profanity-laced and apologetic 911 call from a pay phone
outside the convenience it enabled Asheboro police to locate the suspect.
During the apprehension Toney used the Thomasville car to ram an Asheboro 
police car, Chief Murdock said.

Now in custody in the Randolph County Jail, Toney faces a dozen Thomasville
charges including assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer,
felony speeding and eluding arrest.

No one was injured, although Toney had to be doused with pepper spray to
subdue him. Murdock put a $13,000 price tag on the damage to the Thomasville
and Asheboro police cars.


http://www.policeone.com/briefingroom/print_article/article.asp?action=5619

Back