Deputy's Cruiser Stolen During Traffic Stop
7/12/00
GEYSERVILLE, Calif. - Police are searching for a handcuffed
suspect who stole his arresting officers patrol car.
Robert Lewis Peoples, 43, was pulled over by Sonoma County
Sheriff's Jon Watson for a traffic violation. After Watson ran
Peoples, he discovered a parole violation warrant.
Peoples was handcuffed and placed in the back of Watson's car.
While Watson inventoried the contents of Peoples' van and waited
for a tow, Peoples managed to work his way into the front seat
of the cruiser and drive off.
Peoples tried to run over Watson, who jumped out of the way and
fired three rounds at the fleeing suspect. Neither Watson nor
Peoples was injured.
Watson's unit was located a short time later, but Peoples managed to
steal a pickup truck in the meantime and continue his escape.
A search for Peoples and the stolen truck has been fruitless so far.
Backup news staff writer Richard Rogers
http://www.thebackup.com/newsdetail.asp?id=1269