Theft suspect steals police cruiser while handcuffed in Ellicott City

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. —A handcuffed theft suspect drove away in the police cruiser in which he was being taken into custody Sunday night, police said.

Howard County police said they were called to the Walmart on Ridge Road around 10 p.m. for a report of a theft in progress. The responding officer said he located the suspect, who had approximately $3,000 worth of stolen merchandise. The officer approached the suspect, who then ran away, police said.

After a foot pursuit, the officer took Jerome Rucker, 32, of Nottingham, into custody.

The officer handcuffed Rucker behind the back and placed him into the backseat of a patrol SUV, police said. While the officer was collecting evidence from the Walmart, Rucker manipulated his handcuffs to the front of his body, climbed into the driver's seat and drove away, police said.

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