Trooper nabs care theft suspect

SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Russell Knoke took a personal interest in a suspected car thief in Sallisaw -- the car he was accused of stealing was Knoke's.

Knoke chased down and arrested John W. Bilyeu on Thursday after Bilyeu allegedly stole Knoke's 1983 Ford Explorer. Bilyeu was booked into the Sequoyah County jail on at least 10 complaints including larceny of a motor vehicle.

Knoke, 42, was in bed at his home when he saw the lights of his vehicle through the window as it was being driven away, authorities said.

Knoke pulled on a pair of jeans, grabbed his service revolver and ran barefoot down the driveway, authorities said. He then jumped into his patrol car and gave chase down roads left rough and muddy by the recent snow, ice and rain.

When both vehicles eventually became bogged down in the mud, Knoke, still bare-footed, got out of his trooper's car and ran toward his vehicle, according to reports. As the driver tried to get away, Knoke shot out his vehicle's tires.

Knoke arrested Bilyeu and waited for Sallisaw police to arrive.

Charges against Bilyeu include unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, resisting arrest, driving with no lights, attempting to elude, driving under the influence of drugs and driving under suspension.

Knoke spent the rest of the day getting his tires fixed and the mud removed from both vehicles.

Patrol spokesman Pete Norwood said the vision of the bare-footed, mud-covered trooper in jeans is in stark contrast to the one most see on gasoline pumps across the state -- Knoke is the trooper whose photo is used to warn motorists always to pay for their gas.