Johnny Earl Corbin, 46, of Albertville, was being released from jail about 6:25 p.m. Wednesday when he stole the police car parked in front of the police department near the jail. Corbin had been in jail on an order from a judge and was being released on bond.

The car was left running and the officer driving it had stepped out of the car for a short time, Davis said.

A jailer was with Corbin when he ran to the car and the jailer tried to stop him, but Corbin put the car in reverse and almost ran over the jailer, Davis said.

Davis said another officer heard the call and spotted the patrol car and turned around to follow. He said the patrol car’s speed was up to about 120 to 130 miles per hour.

The officer lost sight of the car. A short time later, at the intersection of Alabama Highway 205 and Adams Drive, Corbin pulled alongside Dustin Thomas of Albertville. Corbin did not turn on the police car’s blue lights, but he did motion for Thomas to pull over.

When Thomas pulled over, he was suspicious because Corbin was wearing street clothes, and Thomas asked to see Corbin’s badge.

At that point, Corbin became agitated, assaulted Thomas and took his wallet, Davis said. In the scuffle, Thomas suffered fractured ribs and contusions, Davis said.

Within moments, Albertville and Boaz police officers arrived and Corbin was taken into custody.

He has been charged with first-degree theft, first-degree robbery, impersonating a police officer and second-degree assault.