February 17, 2019
www.wchstv.com
A man accused of stealing and crashing a Chapmanville police cruiser was taken into custody Thursday night.
Freddie Abbott was arrested by Chapmanville police after police said he stole a cruiser and then crashed it into another cruiser.
Chapmanville Police Chief Al Browning said officers pulled Abbott over at about 5:30 p.m. at the Dollar General in Chapmanville for suspicion of DUI and driving with a revoked license.
Browning said officers handcuffed Abbott behind his back, put him in the back seat of the cruiser and then went back to search Abbott’s vehicle.
Abbot is accused of then jumping in the front seat of the cruiser and taking off. Police said he used one leg to steer the vehicle and the other for the gas.
Browning said Abbott made it across the street to Rite Aid, where he struck three others vehicles and another police cruiser trying to back him in.
Police knocked out the driver’s side window and got him out of the vehicle.
No injuries were reported.
Abbott is charged with fleeing on foot, fleeing in a vehicle, grand larceny, battery on an officer, assault on an officer, unlawful assault on an officer, obstructing, wanton endangerment, reckless driving, destruction of property, and driving on a revoked license.
