A man is hospitalized with serious injuries after stealing and subsequently crashing a Henryetta police patrol car on Friday.

Police identified the man as John Lee, who was detained after neighbors reported him acting erratically and vandalizing cars. Officers placed him in handcuffs and waited for Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police to take custody, as Lee is a tribal citizen.

While the officer secured Lee’s dog, Lee freed himself from the handcuffs, got into the patrol car, and drove away. He crashed the vehicle about four miles from the initial scene. There was no police pursuit due to the short duration of the escape.

The stolen patrol car contained a firearm and the officer’s phone, underscoring the potential risks to public safety. Police say this incident highlights the need for officers to remain vigilant even during routine calls, as situations can escalate unexpectedly.

Lee is known to local police for previous offenses, including assaulting an officer six months ago. He was released from prison in 2019 after serving six years of a 10-year sentence for drug-related charges.

Although Lee sustained serious injuries, police emphasized that the incident could have ended much worse. The investigation is ongoing.