Parolee Joyrides In Unattended Squad Car

ORANGE, Calif. (AP) — A parolee jumped into a Southern California police squad car and drove away with overhead emergency lights flashing while the officer was nearby investigating traffic issues.

Sgt. Dan Adams says 35-year-old Jon Anthony Tolden abandoned the Orange Police Department black-and-white Wednesday evening about a half-mile away and jumped a wall. He was arrested a short time later and booked for investigation of theft of a police vehicle.

He's being held without bail and faces a Friday court hearing.

The patrol officer had stopped his squad car to investigate malfunctioning the railroad crossing arms. The officer left the Ford Crown Victoria running with its emergency lights flashing.

Moments later, Tolden jumped in and drove away. The police car wasn't damaged.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)