Handcuffed Man Steals and Crashes California Highway Patrol Cruiser
Santa Barbara, CA
Herald Tribune - 02-24-03


A handcuffed man placed in the front seat of a California
Highway Patrol cruiser drove off and crashed the squad car
about 10 miles away near Refugio Beach.

The incident began about 4 a.m. Sunday when CHP officers
pulled off Highway 101 to help a stranded motorist. A check
of the 1984 Subaru found that it had not been registered for
two years.

The officers decided to impound the car and handcuffed driver
Jaime L. Coria, 23, of Santa Maria. Officers placed the man
in the front seat of their cruiser.

As the officers were impounding the car, Coria took off his seat
belt and drove south in the cruiser, stranding the officers. He
was arrested after crashing into large rocks.

A motorcycle officer responded to the scene. When they arrived,
Coria had fled. He was later found in brush nearby.

Coria was arrested and booked for investigation of auto theft,
resisting a peace officer, disobeying a peace officer and being
under the influence of narcotic drugs.


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