1/11/02
TULSA, Okla. - A handcuffed suspect stole a Tulsa police car
Thursday and fled, initiating a high-speed pursuit that ended
when the suspect rammed into four other cars during morning
rush-hour traffic.
Authorities said there were no serious injuries in the accident.
Citizens nabbed the suspect as he attempted to flee on foot.
Bernard Andrew Benson, 33, was booked into the Tulsa County
Jail and held as a "high-risk escape," authorities said. He was
booked on complaints of grand larceny, auto theft, four counts
of hit-and-run after an injury accident and escape.
According to police Sgt. Wayne Allen, the incident began with
Benson attempting to steal about 30 cartons of cigarettes
around 7:15 am. Thursday from a Git-N-Go convenience store.
When the clerk attempted to stop the theft, he was assaulted.
Benson fled the store to a nearby carwash, where he jumped into
a car and demanded the driver drive away. The driver threw
away the keys and ran from the scene, and Benson hid in the
backseat of the vehicle.
He was discovered by Officer Monroe Alexander, who handcuffed
Benson's hands behind his back. Alexander put the suspect in
the front seat of the police car and fastened the seat belt.
Alexander then left the suspect in the car while he "returned
some loot," of Benson's, the officer wrote in his report.
Benson was able to contort his body through the restraints
so his hands were in front of him, unhook the seat belt
and drive away.
Authorities said Benson ran at least three red traffic
lights before crashing into the four cars about four
miles west of the convenience store.