ST. PAULS — Sheriff’s investigators are looking for a man who stole a deputy’s car during an arrest attempt late Friday.

Deputy J.L. Thompson was assisting Detective Will Howell in the arrest of two men at the Happy Mart at 2780 N.C. 20 about 11:10 p.m., according to a sheriff’s report.

Thompson handcuffed one of the men. He said Howell handcuffed the other man and then went to search the car. Howell asked Thompson to watch the man he had handcuffed.

Thompson said he walked away from the man he had handcuffed and went toward his car when he saw the other man jump inside the driver’s door of Thompson’s cruiser and lock the door.

Thompson said he reached inside the car and tried to stop the man, but he sped off in reverse through the convenience store parking lot. Howell gave chase, but the man was able to get away.

Thompson’s patrol car was found off N.C. 59 in Cumberland County about 3:30 a.m. Saturday.