Last night we had an ambush type situation. Suspect hid in bushes & approached with a knife. Tased, but jumped in cruiser while Officer at rear of car. Rammed another cruiser intentionally. Stay safe my friends. This worlds crazy. @OhioGoingBlue#Middletownpic.twitter.com/QWinamgYjl
— Chief R. Muterspaw (@chiefmuterspaw) February 28, 2019
The Middletown (Ohio) Police Department is installing anti-theft devices on its fleet of vehicles following an incident where a man allegedly stole a police cruiser while being questioned by an officer and intentionally crashed it into the patrol vehicle of another officer, the Journal-News reported. Both vehicles, 2018 Ford PI Utility vehicles, were severely damaged.
When officers leave their vehicles, they will be able to activate an anti-theft mechanism that will lock the transmission. The vehicle cannot be driven until the hidden button is activated.
Chief Rodney Muterspaw called it an “ambush type situation” on Twitter and added that the man jumped in the cruiser while the officer was at the rear of the car.
The man has been charged, and bond has been set for $1 million for the Feb. 28 incident, WHIO reported.
