Secret Love @ Mock

[Lady Cop]

so Dickie, wouldn't you just HATE to be this cop at morning briefing?

A criminal was on the run this morning after stealing a police car while he was handcuffed inside.

William Blankenship is considered armed and dangerous - because the car he took was full of loaded weapons.

Shortly after escaping with the vehicle in northwest Indiana yesterday, he was heard on the police radio asking for help in finding the car's cigarette lighter and a key to unlock his hands.

It is unclear how the bizarre situation - with the man held in the back of the car managing to take the wheel, eject the officer who arrested him and drive while still in cuffs - took place.

The vehicle is the town's only police car, according to some reports.

Blankenship, 22, had been arrested on drug charges in the small town of Kouts after being stopped for traffic violations.

But he somehow escaped from the back of the squad car and drove off, leaving the officer who had been driving the vehicle behind. The officer is unhurt.

According to the Post-Tribune, he took to police radio and asked officers where he could get the key to the handcuffs and a cigarette lighter.

Police are still looking for the Kouts squad car, a white 2010 Chevrolet Impala with 'Kouts Police' written on the side. It is the only Kouts police car on the road.

Several different agencies are involved in the search, which is being aided by a helicopter borrowed from a neighbouring police force.

Anyone who sees the car is asked to call 911 and warned not to approach the suspect.