Woman Steals Police Patrol Car While Officers Arrest Assault Suspect

ARLETA (CBS) — Authorities are searching for a young woman who stole a police squad car Tuesday night.

Officers and a SWAT team were involved in a standoff with an assault suspect barricaded inside a Arleta home. Around the same time the suspect was being arrested a woman walked up to a patrol car being used by an officer guarding the perimeter of the barricade, parked near Vena Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard.

Shortly after 7 p.m. the woman reportedly got into the patrol car and went for a joy ride.

Police said they don't believe the woman was associated with the barricade.

Moments later, emergency dispatchers received a report that the car had been found abandoned several blocks away. The patrol car was left near the intersection of Remington Street and Rincon Avenue, approximately 4-5 blocks from where it was stolen. The area is located near the cities of San Fernando and Pacoima.

Officers are now searching for the woman who took the car. She's described as Hispanic, about 20 years old and 5 feet 5 inches, having a dark ponytail and wearing a dark hoodie.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.