Parolee jumps in unattended squad car for joyride

[August 13, 2010]  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.

Orange Police Sgt. Dan Adams says the patrol officer had stopped his squad car Wednesday evening to investigate malfunctioning railroad crossing arms. The officer left the Ford Crown Victoria running with its emergency lights on.

Moments later, 35-year-old Jon Anthony Tolden jumped in and drove away.

Adams says Tolden abandoned the black-and-white 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 police car wasn't damaged.

[Associated Press]

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