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Des Moines Teen Slips Through Handcuffs, Twice

A 16-year-old Des Moines, Iowa, girl slipped out of police handcuffs twice last week during an incident involving underage drinking.

September 27, 2007

A 16-year-old Des Moines, Iowa, girl slipped out of police handcuffs twice last week during an incident involving underage drinking.

Police say they were called to the scene because of reports of teenage drinking. When they arrived, several of the teens started to walk away. They ordered them to stop and grab hold of the nearest car. At this time, 16-year-old Itzel Valdes asked for permission to retrieve her purse. The officers let her get the handbag but Valdes reportedly decided to run.

Valdes was captured quickly, cuffed, and placed in the back of a patrol car. Police say she then slipped the cuffs.

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Officers cuffed her again. And tried to put her back in the car. At this point, she allegedly kicked one officer in the knee. She was eventually put back in the car, where she slipped the cuffs again. 

She was taken out and cuffed again. She reportedly threatened to shoot one of the officers when the officer was off duty.

Valdes was taken to a juvenile facility.

No other arrests were made in the incident.

Officials did not say how the girl managed to get out of the cuffs.

 

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