Evading Arrest: Texas Woman Steals Cop Car after Shoplifting

Police officers in Texas have released a video showing an arrested woman shaking off her handcuffs and stealing a police cruiser in an attempt to escape from police. She was arrested for shoplifting at an Ulta store. Once inside the cruiser, police officers investigated her belongings. As they were preoccupied, the woman removed her seat belt. She then slipped out of her cuffs and crawled through the open 12-inch hole in the partition between the back and front seats. Once in the front of the SUV, she was able to steal the vehicle. She now faces charges of escape causing serious bodily injury, aggravated assault against a public servant, evading arrest with a vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.

Footage from officer body cams as well as dashcams show a frenzied chase and several attempts to stop the woman. She dodges spikes strips, weaves across several lanes and manages to lead police for over 20 minutes before spinning out, leading to her capture.

Evading Arrest in Texas

Under Texas statute, the crime of evading arrest is intentionally fleeing from a person that you know is a peace officer or federal special investigator attempting to lawfully arrest or detain you. Evading arrest is a Class A misdemeanor. However, if someone uses a vehicle or watercraft to try and flee police, the crime becomes a state jail felony. The maximum punishment for a state jail felony in Texas is 180 days to 2 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

If you are accused of a state jail felony, speak to a criminal defense attorney.