08/21/12 Breckenridge, TX – Female Struggles With Police Officer – Steals Police Car – Drags Police Officer – Crashes Into Trees – Officer Shoots Out Tire

August 21, 2012

breckenridgeamerican.com

A 24 year-old Breckenridge woman learned a hard lesson that police vehicles don’t necessarily make good getaway cars. On Saturday, Christina Elliott was arrested and charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle when she attempted to steal a Breckenridge Police Department squad car. At about 7:50 p.m Saturday, BPD officer Jennifer Adams was dispatched to Allsup’s in reference to a female without shoes, who was carrying a pipe.

Adams made contact with the female, who was identified as Elliott, who determined she was staying with friends but unsure of the address. Adams provided a courtesy transport to the residence where Elliott was staying, 215 W. Wheeler. While at the residence, Adams confirmed Elliott was staying at the Wheeler address. Elliott then ran across the yard and attempted to drive off with the police vehicle. Adams gave chase and was able to enter the driver’s side of the vehicle and a struggle ensued over control of the vehicle.

Elliott backed the vehicle out of the drive and attempted to head west on Wheeler. Adams was able to force the vehicle off the road in the 200 block of Wheeler. During the fight over control of the vehicle, Adams was thrown from the vehicle and was dragged from Wheeler over the curb and through a portion of the yard, where the vehicle crashed into some trees. Adams was able to hang onto the steering wheel and keep the vehicle from traveling on the city street. She was then pulled from the steering wheel at the time of the crash. After Elliott attempted to flee with the vehicle again. Adams discharged one round of ammunition from her weapon, shooting the left back tire in an effort to stop the vehicle.

After hitting the tire, the vehicle was disabled and Elliott surrendered to her and BPD officer Bacel Cantrell, who had arrived at the scene. Adams was transported to Stephens Memorial Hospital, treated for injuries and released.

Cantrell transported Elliott to the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center. BPD Police Chief Larry Mahan said he was extremely proud of the way Adams handled the situation after being on the BOD force for just two months, “I think she did an excellent job,” he said. She did what she could to keep the vehicle from possibly injuring someone else down the road. That was her greatest fear (of someone getting hurt).” “It was a situation where she was just doing a service to help a citizen,” he said. “But, you have to be prepared and be on your toes for anything to happen and she handled herself well.”