Most individuals who steal cars expect to be able to use the stolen vehicle to leave the scene of the crime. In a recent attempted car theft in Sauk Centre, the would-be thief was stopped from escaping by a collision with another car and perhaps his own state of inebriation.
A woman in St. Cloud called police at about 11:00 a.m. to report that her company car had been stolen from her driveway. Police arrived and began taking the woman’s statement. As they were recording her words, they received a call reporting a two-car collision nearby. When police reached the scene of the second collision, they recognized a car that matched the description given by the woman who made the initial call. They also saw the suspect standing on the payment talking to a woman. The two appeared to know each other.
Police searched the male suspect and found a wallet belonging to the husband of the woman who had called in the first theft. The officers attempted to take statements from the woman and from suspect, but their level of inebriation apparently prevented them from answering the officers’ questions. The man was arrested and charged with felony auto theft and DWI. Other charges may be forthcoming.
The suspect in this case is facing a serious set of criminal charges. If convicted, he will face several years of incarceration and a substantial fine. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can provide a helpful analysis of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of reaching a satisfactory plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office. If a plea agreement is not possible, a capable lawyer can present a persuasive defense at trial.
