09/04/17  Lufkin, TX – Handcuffed Woman Steals Patrol Car – 100 MPH Chase For 20 Miles – Crashes into Tree

LUFKIN, Texas (AP) — An East Texas woman is in custody after stealing a police car while handcuffed and then leading officers on a chase that reached nearly 100 mph (160.93 kph) before she crashed.

Police say 33-year-old Toscha Sponsler of Lufkin had been detained for shoplifting and was in the back of a police car when she managed to get out of one of the cuffs, squeeze through a partition, crawl into the front seat and take off.

A chase involving nmerous law enforcement agencies went on for about 20 miles (32 kilometers) late Saturday afternoon before a state trooper managed to spin her out. Sponsler then hit a tree.

She’s jailed on multiple charges.

Lufkin Assistant Police Chief David Thomas tells TV station KTRE authorities are thankful no one was seriously hurt.