Va. Officer's Son Takes Patrol Car for Joy Ride

The son of a Fairfax County, Va., police officer has been arrested for taking his father's cruiser out for a high-speed drive, activating the emergency lights, wearing a police uniform shirt, and firing a gun, authorities told the Washington Post .

James Michael Puebla Berling, 27, of Centreville, and an acquaintance are facing a number of charges after a Virginia State Police trooper spotted the cruiser speeding down Route 29 in Centreville with its lights on shortly after 1 a.m. on March 16, state police said.

Trooper J.H. Stubblefield followed the cruiser at a distance and notified Fairfax County police. As the trooper rounded a corner in his car, he saw the cruiser pull onto Stillfield Place and stop, state police said.

The driver and the passenger fled into the woods on foot. The trooper was able to detain the passenger, who was identified as 18-year-old Caitlin Lee of Centreville, authorities said. Berling was apprehended after Fairfax County police set up a perimeter and searched the area. Berling was found wearing his father's uniform shirt, authorities said.