Key facts
- A Dallas police cruiser was stolen with an officer inside.
- The suspect allegedly slipped out of handcuffs and climbed into the driver's seat.
- The officer deployed a Taser and drew his weapon during the incident.
- The suspect jumped from the moving vehicle at approximately 50 mph.
- Both the suspect and the officer were hospitalized for treatment.
A routine traffic stop in Dallas escalated dramatically when a suspect, identified as 37-year-old Stacey Huffman, allegedly slipped out of his handcuffs and stole a police cruiser with an officer inside. The incident began around 5:35 p.m. on May 30 following a traffic stop in the 2300 block of South Marsalis Avenue. Huffman was placed in the back of a patrol car, handcuffed. While officers were transporting him, he allegedly managed to free one hand from the handcuffs and attempted to open the locked rear door. Officers stopped the vehicle on Interstate 35 around 6:10 p.m. to further restrain him. As officers exited the car, Huffman allegedly climbed into the driver's seat and sped away. One officer entered the back seat before the car moved and deployed a Taser, but Huffman pulled the wires away. The officer then drew his duty weapon and struck Huffman on the head as the suspect accelerated. Huffman eventually opened the driver's side door and jumped from the vehicle, which continued for approximately 1,000 feet. The officer regained control of the car. Huffman was apprehended, rendered unconscious, and both he and the officer were taken to a local hospital. Huffman is expected to face multiple charges, including escape from custody.