BONNY DOON, Calif. -- A suspected car thief who had just been arrested and handcuffed stole a California Highway Patrol car earlier today in Santa Cruz County, CHP reported.

John Vincent Smith, 51, remains at large after escaping from custody shortly after 11 a.m. on Empire Grade near the entrance to Lockheed in Bonny Doon. Smith was last seen driving a CHP patrol car while handcuffed.

According to CHP, Officer Jim Crouch responded to a report of a vehicle blocking the Lockheed entrance. Crouch, a six-year veteran, discovered that the vehicle, a 1984 Volvo station wagon, was reported stolen in Santa Cruz last week. Crouch arrested Smith, the Volvo's driver.

Crouch handcuffed Smith and placed the suspect inside his patrol car. Crouch was interviewing several witnesses to the incident when Smith apparently slipped his handcuffed hands from behind his back and stole the patrol car, according to CHP spokesman Sam Courtney.

The patrol car was found abandoned around noon, down a steep embankment on Jamison Creek near Empire Grade, Courtney said.

Smith, who lives in Santa Cruz, is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He has brown hair and gray eyes. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call CHP at (831) 662-0511.