A Texas shoplifting suspect led officers on a dramatic high-speed chase after freeing herself from a pair of handcuffs and stealing a police SUV. Police in Lufkin, Texas released video of the incident Tuesday,
The footage shows Toscha Fay Sponsler, 33, being cuffed on the ground after officers responded to a call of a possible shoplifter at a beauty supply store. Once placed in the back of a patrol SUV, Sponsler gets to work freeing herself. She unbuckles her seatbelt and slips out of the handcuffs while keeping an eye on the officers outside. Once the coast is clear, she climbs into the front seat.
The officers are caught off guard as the patrol SUV takes off with Sponsler behind the wheel. One of them manages to open the passenger-side door, but Sponsler is already speeding away.
A high-speed chase ensues. Multiple law enforcement vehicles are seen in pursuit of Sponsler. At one point, an officer tosses out a spike strip, but Sponsler swerves out of its way.
Eventually, an officer uses a PIT maneuver to send Sponsler spinning off the road and into a tree. Officers rush to the vehicle with their guns drawn. They smash the glass and Sponsler is thrown on the ground where she is placed back in handcuffs.
Watch the video above.
Police say the chase lasted 23 minutes and reached speeds of 100 mph.
According to NBC News, Sponsler is charged with five felony counts of escape with the threat of a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest.
Police say they saw Sponsler reach multiple times for a police shotgun that was mechanically locked to the SUV.
Sponsler remains in the Angelina County Jail on $18,000 bond.