3/18/21 Merced, CA – Police Officer Was Taking A Theft Report – Man Steals Marked Merced Police Car From Incident – Police Car Found Abandoned – Man Escaped

March 18, 2021

www.mercedsunstar.com

Merced police are asking the public for assistance in identifying a suspect accused of stealing a patrol car.

At about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, a Merced police officer responded to a reported theft at the Smart and Final parking lot at 1425 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, according to a Merced Police Department news release.

While the officer was speaking with the person who reported the theft, the car thief hopped into the officer’s marked cruiser and sped away, according to police.

Merced police are asking the public for assistance in identifying a suspect accused of stealing a patrol car.

At about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, a Merced police officer responded to a reported theft at the Smart and Final parking lot at 1425 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, according to a Merced Police Department news release.

While the officer was speaking with the person who reported the theft, the car thief hopped into the officer’s marked cruiser and sped away, according to police.

Police obtained footage of the suspect from the store’s surveillance cameras. According to police, the suspect is described as an adult male who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, red shirt, red shoes and a black hat.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Sgt. Jeff Horn at 209-388-7739.