Maplewood, MN - Handcuffed Female B&E Suspect Steals Maplewood Police Car After Kicking Out Partition
Posted at: 12/12/2007 05:33:19 PM
Updated at: 12/13/2007 06:48:15 AM
Woman steals Maplewood Police cruiser
A woman sits behind bars after stealing a Maplewood Police squad car this
weekend.
Police arrested 27-year-old McKenzie Lee Schaffer, of Minneapolis, after
employees witnessed her breaking into the building they worked for.
Officials handcuffed Schaffer and placed her in the back of the cruiser. Police
then left her to enter the building and conduct their investigation.
While inside the vehicle, Schaffer kicked out the partition and managed to get
into the driver's seat.
"[She] was able to crawl through that opening, which was about 12 by 12 into the
front seat of the squad car," said Maplewood Police Chief David Thomalla.
Schaffer drove approximately a mile away from the scene, before police caught
up with her.
"Her explanation was that she had taken our car to assist us in looking for
the suspect in the burglary," said Thomalla.
Schaffer remains in the Ramsey County Jail and faces three felony charges.
Police suspect Schaffer was under the influence at the time of the incident.