Elba, AL  Handcuffed Parolee Climbed Through The Cage - Steals Patrol Car - Was In Possession Of Sniper Rifle

Man Charged With Stealing Cop Car

Published: November 3, 2008

One local police officer may think twice before leaving the keys in the ignition during an arrest.

Robert “Bo” Covington Conner II, 36, was pulled over around 11:45 p.m Saturday by Elba Police Officer Tim Liles for speeding on Highway 84 East. Instead of going straight to jail, Conner allegedly made off with the officer’s patrol vehicle, according to Elba Police Chief Freddie Hanchey.

“The officer ran (Conner’s) driver’s license and found several warrants on him and grand jury indictments,” Hanchey said. “As the officer was inventorying the suspect’s vehicle, Conner managed to get his cuffs under his legs and out in front of him.”

Hanchey said Conner, who is an Alabama parolee, climbed through the cage in the back of the patrol car, slid through the Plexiglass pane and drove the vehicle for approximately four miles before being stopped.

According to the arrest report, authorities seized Conner’s 1996 Chevy Lumina and an M91/30 Russian sniper rifle which was in his vehicle.

Conner, who lives on Lee Street in Enterprise, was wanted in Coffee County on two counts of second-degree felony forgery and two counts of alleged second-degree felony possession of a forged instrument. He was also arrested on four new charges including felony first-degree theft of property, third-degree escape, misdemeanor driving under the influence, felony possession of a firearm, and he was issued a speeding ticket.