Two women were arrested Wednesday after a dramatic sequence of events in Laramie County, where one suspect managed to steal a deputy’s patrol car and display a firearm taken from the vehicle before being apprehended, Cowboy State Daily reports.
The incident began at approximately 5:13 p.m. when the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to reports of a stolen white Ford F-250 from the 800 block of South Greeley Highway in Cheyenne. Witnesses identified Mandy Miller as the alleged thief.
Using the truck’s internal tracking system, deputies located the vehicle near Horse Creek Road off Interstate 25. The driver, later identified as Tianna Quin, led deputies on a chase into the Scenic Ridge Drive area before the truck’s rear tire blew out, forcing it to stop. Quin fled the vehicle on foot toward a nearby home, prompting deputies to pursue her.
While deputies chased Quin, they scanned the stolen truck for additional occupants but found none initially. However, Miller, who had been hiding in the truck, emerged, entered a nearby patrol car, and drove off.
The patrol car was equipped with a safety mechanism designed to prevent unauthorized use when the vehicle is parked. However, the device failed, enabling Miller to commandeer the vehicle.
“She was able to bypass the lock system, and we are investigating why the safety feature didn’t function as intended,” Sheriff Brian Kozak explained.
After taking the patrol vehicle, Miller followed a Scenic Ridge resident to their home, displayed a firearm taken from the deputy’s car, and demanded the resident’s car keys. Fearing for their safety, the resident complied.
Law enforcement quickly located the stolen patrol car near Wind Dancer and Iron Mountain Drive. Miller attempted to flee again but was stopped using spike strips deployed by the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP).
Both Miller and Quin were arrested without further incident.
Miller faces multiple charges, including vehicle theft, aggravated robbery, eluding, driving under the influence of drugs, and an Albany County warrant for drug possession. Additional charges are pending. Quin was booked on a Larimer County, Colorado, warrant for vehicle theft, with further charges forthcoming.
All stolen vehicles and the deputy’s firearm have been recovered.
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Laramie County Dispatch, and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation for their assistance in resolving the incident.