Man steals police cruiser, taunts officers over radio

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- A Springfield man stole a police cruiser and drove around while taunting police over the radio, after officers responded to a disturbance between him and his girlfriend early Thursday morning, CBS affiliate WSHM reported.

Two officers responded to the disturbance in the western Massachusetts city at about 4 a.m. and were greeted by a woman who said she wanted her boyfriend removed from her home, according to Springfield police Sgt. John Delaney.

Police escorted 27-year-old Michael Kopeski from the residence and initially he was cooperative, authorities told the station. Then he asked police if he could re-enter the home to retrieve his belongings, but police denied his request.

According to WSHM, that's when Kopeski became outraged and began yelling, calling the officers "pigs." He walked toward the cruiser that was running in the driveway and spit on it.

Police then told Kopeski to calm down, but he responded by threatening to steal the car. Next, he walked over to the driver's door, and although one of the officers went to lock it with a remote, Kopeski managed to get in when he pulled the handle, Sgt. Delaney said.

That's when things escalated.

Kopeski stepped on the gas and began to pull away from the officers, but not before one of them was able to open the passenger door and shoot pepper spray toward him.

"The spray had no effect on the possessed driver," Delaney said.

Kopeski, police say, locked the door and he took off.

During the next 20 minutes he allegedly used the cruiser's radio to taunt the officers and disrupt communications.

Eventually, another officer spotted the stolen cruiser, and police managed to surround the stolen vehicle with their own patrol cars.

When Kopeski wouldn't open the door, one officer broke the passenger window, then reached inside and turned off the ignition. Police say Kopeski responded by throwing punches at the officers, who finally managed to subdue him. Two the officers were injured in the scuffle.

"Mr. Kopeski then got another ride in a police car, this time in the rear seat, cuffed," Sgt.Delaney said.

According to WSHM, he's charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, resisting arrest and four counts of assault and battery on a police officer.

He was arraigned Thursday, pleaded not guilty, and remains jailed on $5,000 bond.

During his arraignment, Kopeski asked to address the judge multiple times, but his attorney advised him not to do so.