Hope Mills woman escapes arrest in Georgia, steals patrol car
Georgia authorities say a North Carolina woman wriggled out of her handcuffs and led police on a four-mile car chase after fleeing arrest in one of their patrol cars.
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Multiple media outlets reported Ronda Renee Matthews of Hope Mills, N.C., surrendered to deputies after crashing and damaging the patrol car. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office says the 37-year-old woman was being arrested on a robbery charge when she broke out of her handcuffs, climbed into the front seat of the patrol car and drove away.
Officials have charged Matthews with armed robbery, stealing a motor vehicle, fleeing arrest and reckless driving, among other things. It was not clear if she had an attorney.
Matthews has a criminal record in North Carolina that dates to 1989, including several drug and traffic offenses, according to state Department of Correction records.
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