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Jan 23, 2008 9:31 pm US/Central
High Speed Joy Ride In Cop Car Caught On Tape
JUSTIN, Texas (CBS 11 News) ―
A North Texas man is in jail accused of stealing a police car and taking it on a high speed joy ride.
Police say it was a crime of opportunity. A Justin police officer left his keys in the ignition. When he used his keyless remote to unlock the doors to his patrol car, they say Rusty Edward Taylor jumped in and took off.
For 24 minutes, officers chased the stolen squad car.
Dash cam video of the chase shows the suspect losing control of the Chevy Tahoe on FM-156.
The chase continues onto I-35.
With the squad car's lights flashing and sirens blaring on and off, the video shows him speeding around a big rig and forcing a car off the road.
Officers manage to throw spike strips down on the highway, and the suspect runs them over.
That's when the video shows him pulling over and giving up.
The video shows the suspect coming out of the car with his hands raised. The 26-year-old man had been set free on criminal trespassing charges just moments before he allegedly stole the police car.
Now the Ponder man is facing several other charges, including auto theft, evading arrest and criminal trespassing.
The officer involved in this case is an 8-year veteran. The Justin Police Chief said he is not being disciplined, because he did not violate department policy by leaving his keys in the ignition.
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