Bedford, VA, police say suspect Kasey Wayne Johnson escaped when officers permitted him a smoke break. (Photo: Bedford PD_
The Bedford (VA) Police Department is looking for a man it said took off from the police station in handcuffs.
Police said they brought in 20-year-old Kasey Wayne Johnson to the station on Main Street in reference to a stolen vehicle.
They say Johnson was placed in handcuffs and was waiting to be taken to the Magistrate's Office so warrants could be obtained.
They said Johnson asked for a smoke break, so they let him take one. Officers said his handcuffs were moved to the front to allow him to smoke a cigarette, and that's when he took off.
"The officer was being nice and allowing him to smoke a cigarette," explained Chief Todd Foreman with the Bedford Police Department. "As he finished the cigarette, he threw the cigarette down and ran on-foot from us and was able to flee the officers and get away from the officers."
Johnson then took off down Main Street, still in handcuffs, WSET TV reports.