A Fort Lauderdale woman is facing a lengthy list of criminal charges after authorities say she stole a marked Broward Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle and later made an unusual appearance during a bond hearing.
According to investigators, Shannon Marie Dillon, 42, was arrested Tuesday night after allegedly taking a marked Dodge Charger from a public parking area outside the Public Safety Building on West Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Authorities said the vehicle was reported stolen and was later tracked traveling north on Interstate 95.
Law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions joined the search. Deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol eventually located the abandoned patrol vehicle near the Gatlin Boulevard exit in St. Lucie County.
Investigators said Dillon was later found in a nearby wooded area. At the time of her arrest, she was reportedly wearing a ballistic vest displaying a Broward Sheriff’s Office insignia.
Dillon was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on several charges, including grand theft of law enforcement equipment, unlawful use of a police badge or law enforcement vehicle, unlawful possession of identification documents, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, driving with a suspended license, and resisting an officer without violence.
During a Wednesday bond hearing, Dillon drew attention with her demeanor in court. As the judge reviewed the allegations, she reportedly smiled, laughed and spoke out at various points, prompting repeated requests from the court to focus on the proceedings.