A man arrested and put in the back of a Currituck Co. Sheriff's vehicle was able to get out of the handcuffs and make off with the car.

A deputy patrolling in Moyock around 12:30 a.m. Thursday stopped to help a stranded motorist who turned out to be wanted for breaking and entering in Chowan County. So, Johnnie Ray Mizelle was arrested.

In the 1995 Chevy S-10, police say they found cocaine, weapons and stolen property.

While the deputy helped the wrecker driver with impounding Mizelle's car, Mizelle got free, crawled through the barrier cage in the front seat and drove off south on Highway 168.

Two hours later, a call to the officer's cell phone, left in the vehicle, indicated the car was in the Shawboro area of Currituck County.

The deputy's car is a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria with NC license 72461S.

Mizelle is wanted for felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony possession of cocaine.

Mizelle was last seen wearing blue jogging pants, no shirt, white tennis shoes and handcuffs.

If you see him or the stolen cruiser, call the Currituck County Sheriff's office at 252-453-8204

Police say Mizelle has escaped from custody before. In March 2004, he escaped from the Raleigh Dept. of Corrections while serving a 29-year sentence. He was paroled in May 2006.