09/17/13 Prichard, AL – Drug Arrested – Handcuffed – Steals Police Cruiser – Almost Hits Police Officer – Police Fire At Stolen Police Car – Crash – Suspect Escaped

September 17, 2013

fox10tv.com

According to Prichard Police, a suspect stole a  police cruiser Tuesday morning, September 17.

Investigators said Jesse James Russell, 23, repositioned his handcuffs in the back seat of a cruiser and crawled through the sliding window, got into the driver’s seat and sped off.

Officers were responding to a dispatch call on a suspicious vehicle on Telegraph Road. While on the scene, Russell was arrested for drug charges.

Investigators said while Russell was in the back seat of the cruiser, officers went to check out the suspicious car. That’s when authorities say Russell crawled into the driver’s seat and sped off, nearly hitting an officer.

Authorities said officers shot at the car in attempts to stop it, but they missed.

“They called us so that we could help. We got our K-9 on the scene but we were not able to find him,” said MCSO spokesperson Lori Myles.

Russell has an arrest record in Mobile dating back to 2008.

“He was wanted. He had warrants out for him; he knew that. He was already breaking the law, and he has been a frequent flier at our jail before so he doesn’t want to return. He can’t do his life of crime in there,” said Myles.

We wanted to know if the keys were left in the car, and if there were guns inside the vehicle.

We reached out to the Prichard interim chief for answers numerous times, but we were told she was unavailable for comment.

Prichard police then sent out a press release with information but it did not include answers to our questions.

Meantime, MCSO confirms Russell is still on the loose.

“Of course, we know who it is; and according to his record and his jail log, he shouldn’t be that hard to find. He will surface at some point,” said Myles.

If you know anything about this case you’re asked to call either MCSO or Prichard Police.