Henryetta Police Deal With Near Simultaneous Pursuits

A strange Friday for police in Henryetta began with the arrest of a man who had stolen a police car with a K-9 dog inside. And it ended with another stolen car crashing into the library.

Now, police want to throw the book at one suspect, maybe more.

At about 7 a.m., a Henryetta police officer and his police dog responded to a trespassing call at the Regency mobile home park, north of town.

The officer arrested 39-year-old William Brooks for possibly being on drugs, and then put him in the front seat of the patrol car since the K-9 officer was in the back.

"[The officer] went to further investigate the criminal trespassing, and while he was doing that, Mr. Brooks slid his handcuffs from around his back and then took off in the patrol car," said Police Chief Steve Norman.

Norman said Brooks drove for about a mile-and-a-half.

"You throw in the fact that he was handcuffed, trying to drive that patrol car, that's a very dangerous situation," he said.

Brooks eventually pulled over, abandoned the patrol car and took off running, prompting a search. He was later caught.

"We set a perimeter, OHP brought in their hounds, they ended up tracking the male into some deep briars, where we took him into custody," Norman said.

The day got even more bizarre.

At about the same time, someone else stole a car left running in a driveway, and ended up crashing it downtown.

"[The car] came up on the sidewalk, took out the cell phone sign, the trash can, the corner of the pawn shop," said Henryetta resident Floyd Price.

The car ended up hitting the public library.

"We're fortunate he didn't hit anybody or do any other damage," Norman said.

The car thief took off after the wreck. Police are now looking into whether that car thief could be related or know William Brooks.

The public library will be closed until Monday.

The police department will review what happened to see if they can make changes to prevent it from happening in the future.

Brooks will likely face car theft and possession of controlled dangerous substance, which was possibly meth.