Tennessee woman accused of stealing patrol car during arrest

CHARLOTTE, Tenn. — A Tennessee woman is accused of stealing a sheriff’s patrol cruiser, leading deputies on a chase before crashing into another cruiser, authorities said.

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Jennifer Karol Cunningham, 27, of White Bluff, was charged with driving under the influence, felony theft, two counts of vandalism of government property, felony evading, two counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of simple possession, introduction of contraband, driving on a revoked license, two counts of reckless endangerment with a weapon, aggravated assault, assault, leaving the scene of an accident and an outstanding warrant from Dickson County for failure to appear in court, WZTV reported, citing Dickson County records.

According to the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office, Cunningham was suspected of driving a Ford Interceptor under the influence but refused to pull over until her vehicle became disabled at about 1 a.m. CDT on Tuesday.

Deputies said Cunningham resisted arrest and was subjected to a stun gun by authorities, WKRN-TV reported.

After she was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of a patrol car, deputies said Cunningham managed to get her hands in front of her and climbed into the front seat of the vehicle, taking control of it, WTVF reported.

“She quickly pulled in a driveway backed up hit a mailbox and took off from the deputy at that point,” Dickson County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jennifer Caruthers told WKRN.

Deputies said Cunningham hit a parked patrol vehicle as she attempted to flee the scene, according to the television station. After a six-mile chase, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said authorities were able to regain control of the vehicle, WKRN reported.

“It can be dangerous when trying to reach into a vehicle that she’s got in gear, engine revving and still able to get the vehicle in park and get her out of the vehicle safely without any of them,” Caruthers told WKRN. The only damage we had was to the vehicles.”

Cunningham was not wearing a seat belt while driving the patrol car and was not injured, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

“This is something she’s going to be dealing with for a very long time,” Caruthers told WKRN.

Cunningham’s bail was set at $166,000, WZTV reported. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 17, according to the television station.

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