08/15/16 Florala, AL – Man With Gun In Altercation With Family – Handcuffed – Steals Patrol Car – Crosses From Alabama Into Florida And Totals Patrol Car

August 15, 2016

al.com

A Covington County man escaped arrest Sunday, stole a police car, and then wrecked the patrol car across the state line.

Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole said that the suspect, Anthony Scott Brown, is now in custody in the Walton County Jail and will be extradited to Covington County.

Bedsole said that the incident started Sunday around 4:00 p.m. when family members called police and said Brown, 30, was “brandishing a gun.”

When police arrived on the scene, Brown let his family out of the house. He remained inside until Florala police and Covington County sheriff’s deputies were able to talk him out.

Bedsole said that the suspect came outside and was arrested without incident. He was handcuffed behind his back, which police said is standard procedure, and placed in the backseat of the patrol car.

Brown had multiple outstanding warrants in Alabama and Florida.

Two officers were standing outside the car, and left the car running so Brown would have air conditioning. All other officers were inside the house, where they found a .25 caliber pistol and a shotgun.

Bedsole said that Brown somehow slipped his handcuffs in front of him, climbed through a small window separating the front and back seats, and got into the drivers seat.

Brown drove three miles across the state line into Florida, where he crashed the patrol car and fled the scene on foot.

Bedsole said the patrol car was a total loss.

Walton County sheriff’s deputies, Covington County sheriff’s deputies, and Florala police set up a perimeter and searched for Brown. He was found by a K9 unit about 1.5 miles away from the scene of the crash.

When Brown was located, he was attempting to break into a vehicle. He was taken into custody.

In Florida, Brown will face charges including possession of stolen property and grand theft auto from a previous warrant.

In Alabama, the suspect will face charges including theft of property, escape, reckless endangerment, and other charges stemming from prior warrants.