Handcuffed suspect allegedly slips restraints, steals Dallas police cruiser with officer trapped in back seat

A seemingly routine traffic stop in Dallas took a dramatic turn when a suspect, already in handcuffs, allegedly made off with a police cruiser. The suspect’s audacious escape involved driving the vehicle with an officer still inside, only to abandon it while it was still in motion, according to local authorities.

Recently released footage from body and dash cameras sheds light on the moments leading up to this unexpected escape, capturing the suspect’s actions as he freed himself from his restraints and the ensuing chaotic events.

The incident unfolded around 5:35 p.m. on May 30, during a traffic stop on the 2300 block of South Marsalis Avenue. Officers had detained 37-year-old Stacey Huffman, placing him in the back seat of their patrol car while he was handcuffed.

According to the Dallas Police Department, the handcuffed Huffman managed to commandeer the vehicle, driving off with one officer inadvertently trapped in the back seat. Remarkably, he exited the moving vehicle before eventually being recaptured.

Inside the patrol car, video footage reveals Huffman deftly slipping his left hand out of the handcuffs, an action he cleverly concealed by positioning his hands behind his back, setting the stage for his brief but bold escape.

Video recorded inside the vehicle appears to show Huffman slipping his left hand out of the handcuffs before concealing his hands behind his back.

As officers began transporting him to jail, Huffman allegedly attempted to open the locked rear door and removed his seatbelt.

Officers stopped the squad car on Interstate 35 around 6:10 p.m. to further restrain Huffman, according to police.

Dallas police said Stacey Huffman slipped out of his handcuffs while seated in the back of a patrol car following a traffic stop. (Dallas Police Department)

Moments later, as both officers exited the vehicle, Huffman allegedly climbed into the driver’s seat and sped away.

One officer managed to enter the back seat before the vehicle took off and deployed his Taser, but police said it was ineffective after Huffman pulled the wires away.

The officer can be heard repeatedly shouting, “Stop the car!” as Huffman allegedly continued accelerating.

Authorities said an officer remained inside the patrol car after the suspect allegedly took control of the vehicle. (Dallas Police Department)

Police said the officer then drew his duty weapon and struck Huffman on the side of the head after he accelerated the vehicle.

Video shows the officer being violently tossed around the back seat as the patrol car swerved down the roadway.

Authorities said Huffman opened the driver’s-side door while traveling at approximately 50 mph and jumped from the moving vehicle.

Dallas police released dash camera footage showing a suspect driving away in a patrol car with an officer still inside.

Dallas police released dash camera footage showing a suspect driving away in a patrol car with an officer still inside. (Dallas Police Department)

The patrol car traveled roughly 1,000 feet during the incident, according to police. The video indicates that Huffman was in control of the vehicle for about 30 seconds.

Immediately after Huffman exited the vehicle, the officer lunged into the front seat and regained control of the patrol car, avoiding a potential crash.

Huffman was rendered unconscious and taken back into custody, officers said. Both Huffman and the officer were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Huffman is expected to face charges including driving while license invalid, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and escape from custody.

The incident remains under investigation.

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