10/10/13 Ashville, NC – Police Car Stolen From Substation And Wrecked – Then Stole Pick Up – Attempted To Hit Police Officer – Crashes Into Another Police Car – Escapes

October 10, 2013

wpsa.com

An Asheville Police Officer has been suspended after a man stole a police car and wrecked it.

Sergeant Dave Romick of the Asheville Police Department said that an officer parked his vehicle at the Skyland substation at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday. The officer went inside the building and left the car unlocked with the key in the ignition. While he was inside, an unidentified man stole the car.

Romick said that a search began immediately after the car was discovered stolen and a statewide alert was issued to other agencies about its whereabouts. Approximately 30-45 minutes later, the car was found abandoned and wrecked at the Pit Row Car Wash, near the police substation.

“A police car being stolen is a serious and dangerous situation,” Asheville Police Chief William J. Anderson said. “Today, we are asking for the community’s help in locating this suspect.  We also want to assure the public that there will be a thorough internal administrative investigation.  The officer is on investigative suspension at this time.”

A short time later, Romick said that the man who stole the police car, then stole a pickup truck and police pursued him. The suspect then attempted to hit a police officer and crashed into another patrol vehicle. The suspect abandoned the truck and fled into a cemetery.

The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 20-25 years old, 5’10 and weighs 160 pounds.