Ellicottville, New York - Handcuffed Prisoner Assaults Deputy - Takes his Gun - Steals Patrol Car
May 4, 2006, 4:58 PM EDT
ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. (AP) _ A prisoner overpowered a deputy, taking his gun
and patrol car before being recaptured in western New York, according to
authorities.
Cattaraugus County Undersheriff Timothy Whitcomb said Michael Schrock, 38, of
Delevan, was shackled and handcuffed in the back of the patrol car driven
by Deputy Robert Neal, slipped out of one handcuff and broke through the
Plexiglass that separates the back seat from the driver. Schrock attacked
Neal, who pulled the car off Route 242 in Ellicottville shortly before 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday.
"Our deputy received many facial lacerations. It took 25 stitches to close
his wounds," Whitcomb said. "He was overpowered and there was a brief fight for
his duty weapon, which our deputy lost."
Police from several agencies pursued Schrock. Spike strips placed across the
intersection of Routes 16 and 39 in Arcade deflated the tires of the patrol car
and Schrock drove off the road shortly before 9 p.m., Whitcomb said. Schrock
had several bruises didn't require medical attention.
Schrock has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, Whitcomb
said. Now in county jail without bail, Schrock had been charged April 15 with
endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment following a
domestic incident and was in back in custody for allegedly violating an order of
protection. He was being driven from a town court hearing to jail when he
escaped.
Whitcomb said Neal followed correct procedures for securing a prisoner for
transport. Neal, who has worked for the Sheriffs Department for about a year, is
a former state parks police officer.
Ellicottville is 44 miles south of Buffalo.