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Handcuffed Suspect Steals Police Cruiser In Pennsylvania

TOBYHANNA, Pa. (AP) -- Police in Pennsylvania say a handcuffed man drove off in a police cruiser and wasn't arrested until a day later.

Investigators say 20-year-old Kenneth Botke was handcuffed and put in the back of the cruiser after they responded to a report of a theft at his mother's Coolbaugh Township home Saturday night.

Police say that while they were obtaining statements from the victim, Botke was able to get into the driver's area. They say he drove a short distance before fleeing on foot with a shotgun.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police Chief Harry Lewis says that during the search Gov. Tom Corbett authorized the use of a helicopter that transported him to Pocono Raceway for Sunday's NASCAR race.

Police say they captured Botke around 1:15 p.m. Sunday in Stillwater using a stun gun. He was in custody and it wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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