Cullman Police had a car stopped on the side of the road to question a man they believed to be a suspect in a forged check case.

Officers were questioning that man, 29-year-old Jerome Flanigan of Harvest, when he drove away and a car pursuit followed.

Police say Flanigan then ditched his car behind the disabled American Veterans building and a foot pursuit began.

Somehow, Flanigan is believed to have doubled back around and then taken off in Cullman Police patrol car 77.

The Cullman County Sheriff's Department, Hanceville Police and a Helicopter assisted in the search for the missing patrol car.

Police say Flanigan drove to Hanceville and ditched the cruiser at Wallace State. They say he threw the officer's shotgun and cell phone out of the vehicle before stealing a red Chevrolet Blazer registered in Marshall County.

The red SUV was recovered later in Cullman. Flanigan was apprehended on Highway 31 around 3:30 p.m. after a witness saw him get in the trunk of a man's vehicle.

Flanigan is charged with two theft of property charges and other traffic violations.