Man escapes Dallas hospital, jacks police cruiser to lead high-speed chase

A man reportedly escaped custody at a Dallas, Texas, hospital early Thursday and managed to steal a police cruiser—leading cops on a half-hour chase.

Luis Olivo Alarcon Jr., 25, was at the Parkland Memorial Hospital around midnight, set to be transported to jail following a possession of narcotics charge. After an officer got him out of a wheelchair and placed him into a squad car, a handcuffed Alarcon hopped into the front seat and drove away, according to KXAS.

“The officer got about 15 feet away when he observed his patrol car rolling off,” Grand Prairie Police Detective Lyle Gensler said.

Two officers who witnessed what happened pursued the 25-year-old. Additional officers with the Grand Prairie Police Department later joined the 30-mile chase.

The chase ended in Haltom City when Alarcon supposedly drove off the road and into a ditch. Cops apprehended Alarcon without further incident and transported to Grand Prairie Jail. No injuries were reported.

Including the original narcotics violation, Alarcon faces charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, grand theft auto, and felony evading arrest.

Gensler said investigators are looking into whether the officer violated protocol when handling Alarcon.

This isn’t the first time a handcuffed suspect was able to get a hold of a police cruiser. An 18-year-old took an NYPD car on a 12-mile New Year’s joyride. The New York Post reported that Dekota Locklear was arrested at a DWI checkpoint at 2:10 am. Authorities claimed Locklear was able to reposition his hands to the front, get into the driver’s seat, and flee.

Cops used a tracking system to locate the car and Locklear two hours later.