A routine arrest for auto theft turned into anything but routine after one of the suspects allegedly worked one hand out of a handcuff and attempted to take control of a police vehicle...

Officer Mike Riddle had arrested two men for auto theft on Chapman Highway...

He had parked his cruiser near the City-County Building while waiting for a transport when the excitement began.

The scene Calvin Westfield is describing is this one at the corner of Walnut and Hill... That's a police cruiser into the side of First Baptist Church...

Betty Chandler was inside when she heard and felt the collision.

But what Betty didn't know is what happened before the crash...KPD Officer Mike Riddle had arrested two suspects for allegedly stealing a car.

Officer Riddle was standing outside the car doing paperwork when he caught a glimpse of one of the suspects, 21 year old Albert Lee Reynolds, climbing into the front seat...officer riddle attempted to open the door and take control of the cruiser when police say the suspect floored the gas, hitting the officer before slamming into the church.

Other officers gave chase, and after a fifteen minute pursuit through downtown streets Reynolds was arrested in a construction trailer at Main and Henley.

"The officer was trying to do the right thing. It was hot in the car, he had opened that screen and put the air conditioner on to give them air because they said they were warm and the suspect tried to take advantage of it," said KPD Spokesperson Darrel DeBusk.

Reynolds was taken to UT Medical Center after he appeared to have a seizure in the back seat of the patrol car.

The other suspect, 20 year old Joshua Rhinehart of Louisville did not run. He faces just one count of auto theft...

All in all a lot of excitement for the folks at the First Baptist Church.

Albert Lee Reynolds faces two counts of auto theft, one count of escape and aggravated assault on a police officer.

Officer Riddle was treated for a minor head injury.

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