Paris , TN - Handcuffed DUI Suspect Steals TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL Car - Kills Himself With Trooper's Rifle

Suspect Steals Patrol Car
News Channel 5
Posted: Feb 15, 2009 11:17 PM EST
Man Kills Self After Stealing Patrol Car
Thief Slips Handcuffs Before Taking Vehicle


PARIS, Tenn. -- A man accused of stealing a patrol officer's car after a traffic stop later killed himself, said police.

Police said Josh Kingsbury, 21, stole a Tennessee Highway Patrol car Sunday night during a traffic stop on Highway 69 in Benton County.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m. when the man managed to escape from handcuffs and drive away in the officer's car.

"(The trooper) arrested the suspect for DUI. He handcuffed him to put him in the rear of the patrol vehicle. He went to the suspect's vehicle to get information out of it. Somehow, the suspect managed to get out of the handcuffs, gain access to the front of the patrol vehicle and drive away," said THP Lt. Bobby Fuller.

Investigators said the arresting officer, Trooper Daryl Valiz, shot at the car twice, but Kingsbury did not stop.

About an hour later, investigators found the patrol car abandoned. Kingsbury and a spare THP rifle kept in the car were missing, which lead to a massive manhunt.

Fifteen hours later, Kingsbury was found shot to death from an apparent suicide only a half-mile from where he ditched the car.

A family friend of Kingsbury said they are very upset about his death and have no idea why he would have stolen the police car and killed himself.

Kingsbury was attending a vocational school for carpentry and welding, according to his friend.

Investigators were trying to determine how a handcuffed person sitting in the back of a patrol car could escape, since a person can only open the door from the outside. The question remains of whether the patrol car door shut and if the keys were left in the ignition.

"There is a plexiglass protection shelf. It does have a window that slides open, and it would be possible if he could get that open to go through the opening," said Fuller.

Valiz will remain working while the investigation is underway.


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