Handcuffed woman steals police car then drives off

ALIQUIPPA, PA - A Pennsylvania woman who was arrested for shoplifting stole a police cruiser while in handcuffs then drove off, leading police on a 100 mph chase, authorities said.

Roxanne Rimer, 27, was taken into custody Jan. 14 at a Kohl's department store, Center Township police said. She allegedly pushed over the store's security guard and ran to a car driven by her grandfather, who refused to leave. She then stepped on the accelerator pushing the car over a hillside.

Police later caught up with the car and handcuffed Rimer and placed her in the back of a cruiser. But she slipped through its plexiglass partition while wearing handcuffs on her wrists, which were secured behind her back.

"How can you drive a car with your hands cuffed behind your back," Center Township Police Chief Barry Kramer said. "Most people can't."

Kramer offered a theory of how the handcuffed woman stole a police cruiser. He believes she may have been able to use a finger or two to control the steering wheel, and doubts she used her shoulders or feet.

"She was sort of sideways trying to get the gear shift, and the car departed," according to the officer who spotted her at the scene, Kramer said.

Police released a dash cam video showing Rimer steering the stolen police car onto the road. At the same time, a police officer notices her quickly taking off and runs to try and stop her. On the highway, Rimer drives nearly 10 miles at about 100 mph, weaving through traffic.

She was arrested a short time later and officers also said they found heroin needles on her. Rimer faces several charges including possession of drug paraphernalia.