Eufaula, OK - Handcuffed DUI Suspect Steals Police Car - 125 MPH Chase For 70 Miles - Police Car Totaled - Police Shoot Out Back Window
Eufaula man jailed after stealing cruiser
By McClatchy Newspapers
Published: 5/23/2009 8:26 AM
Last Modified: 5/23/2009 2:52 PM
A Eufaula man is jailed in lieu of $126,000 bond after escaping custody and
leading lawmen on a high-speed chase that totaled at least one police car and
damaged others.
Eddie Nathan Barnett, 24, was arrested about 3 a.m. Sunday for driving under the
influence. As two Eufaula police officers searched his vehicle, which is
standard procedure, Barnett waited outside the vehicle, said Eufaula Police
Chief Don Murray.
Barnett was handcuffed behind his back and managed to slip his hands to the
front, which is semi-difficult to do, Murray said.
Barnett then jumped into a Eufaula police car and sped away, Murray said.
Officers Gary Ellison and officer Jesse Smith then jumped into a patrol car and
took chase, Murray said.
A McIntosh County Sheriff's Deputy joined in the 70-mile, high-speed chase
involving speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. When Barnett turned a right
corner, the police car immediately behind him did too, but a deputy's vehicle
slammed into the back of the police car, totaling it, police confirmed.
"That took the officers out of the chase," Murray said. "Officer Cody Kelly's
car is totaled."
Deputies continued chasing Barnett, he said.
The Muscogee Creek Nation Tribal Police assisted by setting up a road block near
Wetumka, Murray said.
"He ran through it," Murray said.
Barnett was arrested near Holdenville, almost 70 miles from the onset of the
chase, which was four miles west of Eufaula on Oklahoma 9. The police car
Barnett was driving ended up in a bar ditch after he approached a bridge that
was under construction, Murray said.
A gunshot had knocked out the back glass and the windshield of the police
car, Murray said.
"He (Barnett) jumped out to run on foot and was tackled by deputies," Murray
said.
Barnett is charged with driving under the influence, assault with a dangerous
weapon, attempting to elude a police officer, larceny of an automobile and
escape from arrest or detention.
Murray said the department won't be able to replace the totaled 2003 Crown
Victoria anytime soon.
The department has two pool cars officers drive to back and forth to schools.
One of those will be put into daily service, he said.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating the entire incident, Murray said.