Guns Found in Stolen Squad Car; Thief Still Missing

A squad car stolen Tuesday by a handcuffed suspect was found underwater Wednesday in Indiana, police said. But the search continues for the man who stole the car and reportedly later radioed officers for the location of the car's cigarette lighter.

Police said William Francis Blankenship III got away from authorities during a traffic stop arrest Tuesday evening by the Kouts, Ind., Police Department.

The 22-year-old from Knox, Ind., is a white man who stands 5 feet-10 inches, weighs 175 pounds and has black hair, brown eyes and a scruffy goatee, police said. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white/gray hoodie, according to police.

Blankenship got away with a Kouts Police Department squad car after he was arrested, police said. The car is a white, 2010 Chevy Impala that is fully marked with a gold stripe, black trim and "Kouts Police" written in black on both sides.

He was last seen driving westbound on State Road 8 from the Family Express gas station in Kouts and reportedly radioed police Wednesday morning asking about the key to the cuffs and where the car's cigarette lighter was located, according to the Merrillville Post-Tribune.

Loaded weapons were in the squad car at the time of the theft, but all guns are accounted for, police said.

Anyone who sees Blankenship should call 911 immediately, authorities said.

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