Man steals Colorado Springs police cruiser, flips vehicle on I-25

Police arrested a man after he took a marked police car and proceeded to roll the car on I-25 north of Bijou St. Saturday night.

The incident began after an officer was called for reports of a suspicious person. The officer found 36-year-old Richard Payne in the area of Uintah St. and Wood Ave. A struggle ensued between the officer and Payne. Payne was able to take the marked police cruiser during the altercation.

Payne drove the police car southbound on I-25 when he lost control and rolled the vehicle north of Bijou St. Police took Payne into custody at the scene of the crash.

The police officer and Payne both experienced non-life threatening injuries.

Payne is charged with second-degree assault on a peace officer, aggravated motor vehicle theft and driving under the influence.

The crash closed I-25 southbound at the Bijou exit, there was heavy police activity in the area during the time of the incident.