Polk County, FL Man Charged With Stealing Patrol Car
09/15/05 -By DAVE NICHOLSON
WINTER HAVEN A handcuffed suspect wanted on an auto theft charge swiped a patrol car and led Polk County Sheriff's deputies on a chase before being recaptured early Wednesday, authorities said.
George Shaw was stopped Tuesday -- his 29th birthday -- on U.S. 27 north of Lake Wales by Deputy Shaughn Hurt and Deputy Trainee Jeremy Cliett, said sheriff's spokeswoman Michal Shanley. His hands were cuffed behind his back and he was placed in the back of a patrol car while deputies searched his vehicle.
Shaw somehow shifted his hands to the front of his body, got into the front seat and drove away about 11 p.m., Shanley said. Deputies lost sight of the cruiser, but it was seen later in an industrial park near Winter Haven, and deputies pursued it.
Deputy Kenny Hill and Capt. Tim Holleyman rammed the stolen cruiser, ending the pursuit in a subdivision off Spirit Lake Road shortly after midnight, Shanley said. Hill's patrol car hit a garage at a house, damaging the building and a vehicle inside, she said.
Charges against Shaw include escape, fleeing to elude and grand theft auto, Shanley said. He also faces an outstanding grand theft auto warrant, she said. He was being held at Polk County Jail. Bail had not been set.