Florida Woman Accused of Stealing Sheriff’s Cruiser, Driving It Nearly 100 Miles

A routine Tuesday night at Broward County headquarters turned into a sprawling search after a sheriff’s cruiser was reported stolen and later found nearly 100 miles away.

St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office stated that authorities arrested Shannon Marie Dillon near Interstate 95 and Gatlin Boulevard in St. Lucie County after finding the stolen Broward Sheriff’s Office vehicle abandoned nearby.

Dillon, 42, was wearing a ballistic vest marked with Broward Sheriff’s Office insignia when deputies encountered her, according to WPTV.

The agency reported the cruiser stolen from its Fort Lauderdale-area headquarters around 9 p.m. on September 22.

Investigators tracked it north with help from the Florida Highway Patrol, Port St. Lucie Police Department and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

The vehicle reportedly reached speeds of up to 100 mph during the trip. Authorities said no crashes or injuries were reported.

Body-camera footage showed deputies ordering Dillon to the ground before taking her into custody.

The Independent reported that she faces several charges in St. Lucie County, including grand theft of law enforcement equipment, unlawful use of a police badge or law enforcement vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Authorities clarified that the weapons charge stems from a department-issued rifle that was inside the stolen cruiser, not a firearm found on Dillon herself.

She also faces Broward County charges tied to the alleged theft.

Dillon has not been reported as having entered a plea. She remains in custody on the charges, with her total bond set at $107,500.

Authorities have not publicly explained how Dillon allegedly accessed the cruiser.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office has opened an Internal Affairs investigation.