Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507260069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
State Trooper Steve Oliver was placing four passengers in the man's car under arrest when the car was stolen about 8:30 p.m.
The man was still missing about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Sgt. Joe Rader, Oliver's supervisor. The four companions were charged with being drunk in public.
The man, whose name state police would not release until his capture, took the car from about one mile south of the Hollins exit of Interstate 81, where he had been stopped, and drove south onto Interstate 581.
When the man left I-581 on the southbound Peters Creek exit, he wrecked the police car, which was found in a ditch about 8:40 p.m. - its blue lights still flashing
Rader said the man fled the accident scene and a big head start allowed him time to get away.
A fierce rainstorm broke out about an hour into the search. Darkness and the storm impeded the hunt, which led officers to Valley View Mall and to property near the accident scene, including the area around Sheraton Inn, Roanoke Airport and Countryside golf course.
Roanoke and Roanoke County police assisted state police in the search.
Rader described the suspect as bold and said Oliver is ``a good trooper.''
``We learn from these things and hope to do better in the future,'' Rader said. ``We're just glad [the suspect] didn't hurt anyone.''
State police know whom they are looking for, Rader said. The fugitive faces charges of escaping custody, auto theft, driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.
by CNB