A man arrested after Seattle police responded to a burglary call at an elementary school last week apparently managed to work his way into the front seat and drive away in the patrol car in which he was being held.
The story of the unusual car theft began in the early morning hours last Thursday, as police arrived at Wing Luke Elementary in South Seattle to find that an apparent break-in had occurred. The suspect, whose name was not released to the media, attempted to hide, but was spotted by an officer inside the building. He was later stopped outside the other side of the school, and police told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that he was carrying assorted computer equipment in a backpack, and had stacked up several machines near one of the building’s entrances.
Once the man was handcuffed and placed in a police cruiser, however, officers left the car unattended for a moment. This, they said, gave the suspect the opportunity to work his cuffed hands around to his front side, squeeze through the divider between the front and back seats, and get into the driver’s seat.
Officers were initially unable to track the man, local TV news channel KIRO reported, despite the use of K-9 units once the patrol car was found, abandoned, at a public park some distance away. However, he was eventually located roughly half a mile from the elementary school and re-arrested, the station said.
Experts say that this case is a clear demonstration of the fact that even police cars, with their extensive anti-theft measures, are vulnerable to a clever thief. In order to avoid an increase in their area’s car insurance rates, residents should make sure to take every preventive measure possible against car theft.