A woman is charged with escape and theft after she allegedly stole a sheriff’s office patrol car Friday night.

The incident began when deputies responded to a domestic incident at a home on Pier 7 Road in Gantt at approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday. Chief Deputy David Anderson said deputies arrested 37-year-old

Rachel Hawkins, handcuffed her and placed her inside the patrol car.

“While the deputies were still on the scene investigating the situation, (Hawkins) moved from the back of the patrol car through the small opening in the cage to the driver’s compartment of the patrol car,” Anderson said. “She then preceded to drive off with the car, traveling approximately 50 ft. out of the drive way, (before) fleeing on foot into a wooded area where she was apprehended.”

Hawkins was charged with domestic violence III, theft of property I, criminal mischief III and escape III. She was booked into the Covington County Jail and held on a $33,000 bond.