Lyndon, KS - Christmas Day - Inmate Steals Holt County Sheriff's Patrol Car From Missouri To Kansas

Suspect in police cruiser theft apprehended
St. Joseph News-Press
Friday, December 26, 2008

LYNDON, Kan. — The Osage County Sheriff’s Department put an end to the flight of a Grinch who ruined Christmas Day for the Holt County Sheriff’s Department.

Ross Archer, 42, was caught shortly before noon Friday in Eisenhower State Park in Osage County with the patrol car, said Kirby Felumb, Holt County Sheriff.

“The best thing about this is that nobody got hurt,” Mr. Felumb said.

The Holt County Sheriff received an unwelcome surprise Christmas Day when Mr. Archer, a trusty, allegedly stole a patrol car. Ironically, Mr. Archer was in jail on a charge of auto theft since September.

He had been a model prisoner who earned trusty status, Mr. Felumb said.

Mr. Archer went out to empty trash at 10:30 p.m. Christmas Day.

Staff didn’t realize he’d stolen a deputy’s keys, which he allegedly used to start a 2004 Chevrolet Impala and flee from the jail, the sheriff said.

The missing patrol car got stuck in the park and will be towed, Mr. Felumb said.

Mr. Archer was scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 7 for a pre-trial conference and a possible plea-bargain agreement. The inmate is a white male who lived in the Gallatin, Mo. and Jamesport, Mo. area.

Kansas law enforcement authorities will hold Mr. Archer until he waives extradition or he is extradited back to Missouri.
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