A 40-year-old man, who was first stopped by the Kaplan Police for allegedly shoplifting three T-Bone steaks from a Kaplan store, now faces more serious charges after stealing a Kaplan police car and leading law enforcements on a high-speed chase Thursday afternoon.

Paul O'Quinn from Abbeville was brought to Abbeville General Hospital to get checked after wrecking the stolen squad car into a tree after missing a curve on Lover's Lane, located south of Abbeville.

Kaplan Police Chief Boyd Adams said a Kaplan patrolman stopped a vehicle after getting a call about someone in the car being a possible shoplifter. The officer stopped the car and then the passenger (O'Quinn) in the car fled. He matched the description of the possible shoplifter. The officer called for backup and then went search for the runner on foot.

Somehow, Boyd said, the man managed to sneak back around and get into the Kaplan patrol car that was still running.

The stolen car travelled down La. 14 and was pursued by the Kaplan police, Sheriff’s Office and the State Police. Once in Abbeville, the stolen car travelled down South State Street, ran through a stop sign at the corner of South State and Jacquelyn Street. The car then turned left onto Lover’s Lane, right past the Sportsman.

O'Quinn could not make the curve and smashed into trees in a patch of woods.

Kenneth O Bryan and his brother Dale, who live on Lover’s Lane, were home watching TV when they heard a loud noise.

“We heard a crash,” said O’Bryan. “We came outside and saw the guy get of out the car, jump over the hood and run into the woods.”

Kenneth and his brother began to chase the guy into the woods until they saw law enforcement arrive.

According to Kenneth, Dale Hargrave of the Sheriff’s Office talked with the man who was hiding in the woods and convinced him to give himself up.

The car, valued at around $20,000, suffered front-in damage and was hauled off by LaSalle Repair Shop from Kaplan.

“No police officers got hurt and that is the good thing,” said Boyd.

Boyd said during the chase, he was trying to convince the driver to stop the car and give himself up. "He did not want because he said was on parole," said Boyd.

Boyd said O'Quinn has an long arrest record with theft, armed robbery and simple escape charges. He has served time in jail for the charges.