Woman Steals Police Car, Gets a Two-Ride Special
12-13-03 By Chris Bristol
Yakima Herald Republic - Yakima, Washington
A homeless woman stole a Yakima police car early Friday and went for a drive that lasted all of one block before she stopped for a red light and was captured, police said.
"She said she needed an ‘awakening,’" Lt. Mike Merryman said, "so she got one."
Officer Steve Morkert was assisting an out-of-gas motorist at the Conoco gas station at North First Street and Lincoln Avenue when he encountered a woman smoking a cigarette in the parking lot, Merryman said.
When the officer asked her how she was doing – it was just after 1 a.m. and snowing lightly – the woman answered that she was cold, Merryman said.
"She told him, ‘I can’t go home just yet,’" Merryman said. "I guess what she really meant was, ‘I can’t go home just yet – I don’t have a car.’"
Moments later, Morkert stuck his head inside the gas station office to see how the motorist was doing. That’s when the clerk told him somebody was stealing his car.
"He turns around to see his car driving off, heading northbound on First Street," Merryman said.
Another officer on patrol was only a couple of blocks away and quickly got behind the stolen cruiser, which was waiting through a red light at D Street, Merryman said.
The woman quickly pulled over when the light turned green and have herself up, Merryman said. She not only stopped for the red light, Merryman added, she was buckled up.
"She didn’t want a ticket or anything," Merryman said. "She just wanted a ride home."
The suspect was subsequently book on suspicion of car theft and driving with a suspended license. She remains in jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.
Merryman said the suspect got her ride to jail in the same car she stole. Morkert was behind the wheel.