A man arrested during a traffic stop in southern Dallas slipped out of his handcuffs, climbed into a police squad car and drove away with an officer still inside the vehicle, according to the Dallas Police Department.
The incident happened May 30 near Interstate 35 and Illinois Avenue, but Dallas police released additional details and video footage Thursday.
The footage shows officers stopping to restrain the suspect after police said he removed one hand from his handcuffs and attempted to open the rear door of the squad car. Investigators said the suspect then climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away while one officer remained inside the patrol vehicle.
The video also captures the officer deploying a Taser, struggling to regain control of the vehicle and the suspect later jumping from the moving patrol car before being taken back into custody.
Police said officers Ibrahim Kante and Kenneth Harper stopped a vehicle around 5:35 p.m. in the 2300 block of South Marsalis Avenue for a registration violation. During the stop, officers arrested a 37-year-old man on charges including driving with an invalid license, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to police, the suspect was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the patrol vehicle while officers completed their investigation. Investigators said the suspect later slipped one hand out of the handcuffs and concealed his hands behind his body.
As officers drove toward the jail, the suspect allegedly attempted to open the rear door and removed his seatbelt, police said. Officers then stopped the squad car on northbound I-35 near Illinois Avenue to restrain him.
Police said the suspect climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away while Harper was still inside the patrol vehicle and Kante remained outside. Harper deployed his Taser, but investigators said it was ineffective after the suspect pulled the wires away.
According to the department, Harper then struck the suspect with his duty weapon while trying to stop the vehicle as it accelerated. Police said the suspect continued driving erratically, throwing Harper across the back seat of the patrol car.
Investigators said the squad car traveled about 1,000 feet and reached speeds of about 50 mph before the suspect opened the driver’s side door and exited the moving vehicle. Harper regained control of the patrol car and avoided a crash, police said. The man was later taken into custody unconscious.
Both Harper and the suspect were transported to a hospital. Harper was treated and released, while the suspect remained hospitalized Thursday, according to police.
When the suspect is released from the hospital, police said he will face additional charges including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and escape from custody.