There is no doubt thieves are getting more brazen every day. I blogged about a pair who stole a bridge and sold it for scrap. There are people stealing gravestones, piglets and prescription medication. Rarely do you ever hear of a thief bold enough to steal a cop car while in the process of being arrested.

William Blankenship III wanted in the theft of a police car in Kouts, Indiana surrendered to state police troopers. It is not like he came in out of remorse of his own volition. The cops had surrounded his house and were about to tear gas the turkey!

The troopers had been in contact with Blankenship's family for much of the day before the arrest, knowing that the suspect must be in contact with them. Eventually his family gave word that he was willing to surrender.

The Story

The story begins with Blankenship being arrested on drug charges at a gas station in Kouts. While police searched Blankenship's vehicle, the suspect somehow escaped from the police car's backseat, climbed into the front and drove off. He then had the audacity to use the police radio to ask where to find the car's cigarette lighter and a key to unlock his handcuffs.

The officer whose squad car was stolen said he only realized the cruiser was gone when he looked up and saw the taillights leaving the parking lot.

Dave Johnston, an 11-year veteran, said he believes Blankenship managed to contort himself to get the handcuffs in front of him, then hopped into the front seat and put the car into reverse before pulling away. The squad car was found in a drainage ditch and officers recovered the police weapons stored in the cruiser.

It just goes to show that you cannot turn your back for a second – even if you are a cop. Hopefully while in jail the 22-year-old Blankenship can receive counseling and perhaps a stop theft class combined with an alcohol and drug class.

source: http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/01/14/news/local/doc4f10b9777b8c5439896062.txt