06/21/18 Festus, MO – Wanted Man Steals Jefferson County Deputy’s Patrol Car At A Gas Station – Pursuit Off Road Through Woods And Fields – Injured And Captured

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A man was taken into custody in Washington County overnight after allegedly stealing a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy’s patrol car at a gas station in Festus.

The incident began at the Express Mart in the 800 block of Collins Road around 9:25 p.m. Wednesday.

Timothy Hopkins, 42, was reportedly at the gas station in his red pickup truck when he pumped $6 worth of gas and told the cashier he was waiting for his girlfriend to pay. The girlfriend was not with him in his car but later showed up in a different vehicle, according to police.

Police said Hopkins then tried to leave but the cashier said he had to pay first. The suspect got in his truck and tried to drive away but was stopped by a Jefferson County deputy who happened to be at the gas station.

The deputy then arrested Hopkins and put him in the front seat of his Ford Taurus, a cashier at the gas station told News 4. The suspect somehow got into the driver’s seat and drove off. The cashier said he nearly hit several customers in the parking lot as he fled.

Hopkins was wanted on at least one felony warrant, police said.

Shortly before midnight Wednesday, deputies in Washington County spotted the stolen squad car.

“We pursued the vehicle through woods and fields, where the vehicle came to a stop in a creek bank,” said Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobson.

Hopkins was reportedly injured while trying to flee police but was taken into custody.

The squad car had to be towed up from the embankment.

No other details have been released.