Deputy quits after wife, mom-in-law take squad car

[March 19, 2010]  LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- A Polk County deputy has turned in his badge after his wife and mother-in-law took his patrol car out for a joy ride.

Officials said the 44-year-old deputy resigned Monday after serving 21 years with the sheriff's office.

The arrest report said his wife and mother-in-law face charges of vehicle theft, theft of a firearm and impersonating a law-enforcement officer. His wife also faces charges of possession of a firearm of a convicted felon.

A third person riding in the back seat also was arrested.

Witnesses reporting seeing the patrol car driving erratically in Lakeland on Sunday morning. The deputy apparently didn't know the car was taken.

[Associated Press]

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