11/07/16 Alexandria, MN – Woman Arrested For Arson Is Handcuffed In Patrol Car – Slips Cuffs – Steals Patrol Car – Chase Over 100 MPH – Stop Sticks – Crash

November 7, 2016

wcnc.com

An Alexandria woman is facing multiple charges after making like Harry Houdini and speeding off in a squad car after authorities had arrested her for arson.

Just before 6:45 p.m. police and fire crews were dispatched to an apartment building on the 500 block of Broadway on a fire alarm sounding and smoke coming from the building. When they arrived first responders found a fire burning on the living room floor and put it out. It seemed at first that no one was home but officers eventually noticed that the 35-year-old renter had crawled up into the ceiling. She tried to get away but crashed through the ceiling tiles and fell into the laundry room, and officers found that the woman had a methamphetamine pipe and lighter on her.

The woman was escorted to a police cruiser, handcuffed and placed in the back seat, but while officers were tending to the fire she slipped one hand out, crawled through the sliding window into the drivers seat and sped off.

Electronic tracking says the woman hit speeds of between 100 and 126 mph as she drove towards the city of Osakis. An Osakis Police officer began pursuit that finally ended when a State Trooper deployed stop sticks near the city of Sauk Center.

The suspect is currently jailed in Alexandria facing charges of vehicle theft, fleeing a police officer, driving while impaired, possessing of a controlled substance and reckless driving, among others.