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Florida man stole deputies jeep after crash, police say By Scott McCabe, Palm Beach Florida Post Staff Writer Police arrested a suburban West Palm Beach man who they say stole an unmarked Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy's Jeep while fleeing a traffic crash that hospitalized two of his passengers. "You need a scorecard for this one," Royal Palm Beach police Capt. John Hill said. After crashing a stolen dark-blue Jeep at State Road 7 and Southern Boulevard about 11 p.m. Tuesday, Darrell Washburn, 28, tried to drive the wrecked car about 100 feet before it stalled, Hill said. Washburn jumped from the Jeep and fled, leaving two injured adult females behind. Washburn eluded police by finding an unmarked sheriff's Jeep parked in front of the deputy's residence and stealing it, said sheriff's office spokeswoman Diane Carhart. Deputies found the vehicle Thursday, but the deputy's 9mm pistol and ammunition, handcuffs and sheriff's office challenge coin were gone. Sheriff's agents found the deputy's stolen firearm through sources. Sheriff's deputies arrested Washburn after they saw him leave his house at 6541 Bischoff Road, allegedly with backpacks full of the deputy's belongings. They found the remaining items at Washburn's house. Washburn was charged with two counts of grand theft auto, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and burglary. One of his passengers was taken by helicopter to St. Mary's Medical Center and the other by ambulance to an area hospital. Both were released with minor injuries, Hill said. |