Woman steals trooper's car, hits two deputy vehicles

Sikeston Standard Democrat ~ NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A woman driving a stolen Missouri State Highway Patrol vehicle rammed two New Madrid County Sheriff's vehicles before being taken into custody.

About 10 p.m. Tuesday, New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens said his officers were called to a truck stop north of New Madrid, saying a woman was acting strangely. Stevens said officers interviewed the 24-year-old Mississippi woman but didn't find anything wrong.

A short time later, a vehicle was reported parked on a New Madrid overpass. Officers found the same woman in the vehicle and determined she was mentally unstable.

The woman resisted arrest, and Stevens said a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer arrived to assist. The woman was placed in handcuffs in the Highway Patrol car for transport to the New Madrid County Jail.

According to Stevens, the woman freed herself from the handcuffs and stole the trooper's vehicle, ramming the deputy's car as she drove away from the scene.

A pursuit began with the woman driving north and south in the southbound lanes of the interstate, Stevens said.

The woman exited at the Marston exit, traveling along Highway EE, then south on County Road 314, striking a second New Madrid County deputy's vehicle.

The pursuit ended when the highway patrol vehicle became stuck in a field.

Charges are anticipated against the woman, including two counts of assault with motor vehicle, escape from custody and theft of a motor vehicle.