Handcuffed man escapes from Lee County deputy’s cruiser

A handcuffed man escaped from the back seat of a Lee County sheriff deputy’s cruiser late Thursday after he was arrested in Smiths Station for criminal trespassing, authorities said.

Chad Michael Shores, 23, of Phenix City now faces additional charges of escape third degree and theft fourth degree in the missing handcuffs along with his original criminal trespass, said Lee County Sheriff’s Jay Jones.

The deputy who responded to the call about 8:45 p.m. CST had handcuffed Shores, placed him in his cruiser and started talking to the victim when Shores slipped away with the handcuffs still on his wrists. “The person in custody took the opportunity to open the door even though he was handcuffed,” the sheriff said. “He jumped out and ran away.”

Jones said the suspect isn’t considered violent but anyone who comes in contact with him should call the sheriff’s office. “We don’t think he is a danger to anyone,” the sheriff said. “He just didn’t want to go to jail.”

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Handcuffed man escapes from Lee County deputy’s cruiser."