Fort Lauderdale, Florida — A Florida woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she stole a Broward Sheriff’s Office cruiser and drove it nearly 100 miles north through four counties, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph before deputies arrested her in St. Lucie County.
Shannon Marie Dillon, 42, was wearing a Broward Sheriff’s Office bulletproof vest when deputies located her Tuesday night near Interstate 95 and Gatlin Boulevard, authorities said.
The stolen cruiser had been reported missing at around 9 p.m., and deputies found it abandoned nearby roughly an hour later.
Stolen Cruiser Traveled Through Four Counties
According to Rod Skirvin, president of the Broward County Police Benevolent Association, the cruiser reached speeds of up to 100 mph during the drive.
Despite the high-speed journey, authorities said no crash or injuries were reported.
The vehicle ultimately ended up in the Port St. Lucie area, nearly 100 miles from where it was reportedly taken.
It remains unclear how Dillon allegedly gained access to the cruiser or why she drove it north from Broward County.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office has launched an Internal Affairs investigation into how the vehicle was taken.
Deputies Arrest Woman Near Interstate 95
Body-camera footage released by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies surrounding Dillon after locating her, with their guns drawn as they ordered her to get on the ground.
One deputy can be heard shouting:
“Get down on the ground!”
Another officer repeatedly yelled:
“Down! Down!”
Dillon was then taken into custody.
A photograph taken after her arrest shows Dillon sitting in the back of a police vehicle with gravel visible across her face and chest. Authorities have not publicly explained how she came to be wearing the department-issued bulletproof vest.
Rifle Found Inside the Cruiser
Dillon 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.
The weapons-related charge involves a department-issued rifle found inside the stolen cruiser, rather than a weapon allegedly found directly on Dillon, according to the sheriff’s offices.
She also faces additional charges in Broward County, including grand theft of law enforcement equipment from an authorized emergency vehicle and grand theft.
Dillon remains held at the St. Lucie County Jail. Online inmate records list her total bond at $107,500.
Questions Remain About How the Cruiser Was Taken
Investigators are still working to determine exactly how Dillon allegedly obtained the cruiser. The circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s removal have prompted the Broward Sheriff’s Office to open an Internal Affairs investigation.
Authorities have not publicly provided a detailed explanation of whether Dillon allegedly entered the vehicle at a station, accessed it elsewhere or obtained the keys through another means.
The investigation could provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the theft.
Woman Makes Unusual Comments During Hearing
Dillon appeared in court Wednesday for a bond hearing, where reports say she smiled, giggled and repeatedly interrupted the judge with unsolicited comments.
At one point, the judge asked:
“Do you want to say anything before I set bonds on the other charges?”
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Dillon responded:
“At this time, thank you very much, judge, and I will not disappoint you … I’m going to dedicate the rest of my existence instead of saying I’d rather be nonexistent. I’m going to dedicate at getting all my parental rights terminated as of right now. I want papers drawn up, telling my whole [inaudible speech].”
A man seated nearby appeared stunned by the remarks, reportedly sitting with his mouth open as Dillon continued speaking.
The exchange added another unusual moment to a case that began with the reported disappearance of a law enforcement vehicle and ended with a multi-county pursuit and arrest.
Dillon Has Previous Arrest
The latest case is not Dillon’s first encounter with law enforcement.
She was previously arrested in January in Coral Springs on allegations involving trespassing and obstructing an officer.
Her latest charges are significantly more extensive, involving the alleged theft and use of a law enforcement vehicle as well as other felony allegations.
For now, Dillon remains in custody in St. Lucie County while the investigation into the stolen cruiser continues.
What do you think about this unusual case? How do you think a police cruiser could be taken and driven nearly 100 miles before being recovered? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
