Man Stole Car So He Wouldn't Be Late For Court Appointment With Sheriff

[matcom]

<snip>

A 26-year-old man whose bail conditions required him to report once a day to authorities in Rutland found himself in Woodstock last week with a broken-down car.

So determined was he to keep his court-ordered appointment that he stole someone else's car, police said.

Now, in addition to the theft-related charges he previously faced, Joshua E. Reed of Rutland is accused of felony possession of stolen property, and two misdemeanor counts of operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent and violating the conditions of his release.

"He has a once-daily reporting requirement and as ridiculous as it sounds, he was concerned about reporting," Katie Smith, Reed's public defender, said in Rutland District Court Monday. "He says he wasn't thinking."

Reed told police he stole the car so he could keep his daily appointment at the Rutland County Sheriff's Department, Deputy State's Attorney Marc Brierre said in court.

"I submit that logic is disturbing," Brierre said.

Reed pleaded innocent to the new charges and was ordered held on $10,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison.

According to court records, area police agencies were told Wednesday night to be on the lookout for a green 1994 Saab reported stolen in Woodstock. Rutland City Police Cpl. Robert Gorruso wrote in court records that he saw a vehicle matching that description traveling on Woodstock Avenue later that night.

Gorruso stopped the car and asked Reed, who was driving, if it belonged to him.

"He advised, 'No it's not my car,'" Gorruso wrote. Reed told the officer "that a girl blew the clutch in his vehicle and he needed to get back to Rutland to sign in as part of his conditions of release so he found the Saab and took it."

Police said a record check showed the green Saab Reed was driving was the same car that had been reported stolen.

According to police, Reed told them, "I did not hurt the car and I can pay for the tow bill for the owner."

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061128/NEWS/611280342/1002/NEWS01

[Robb]

1. The police chief in a local town is a buddy

He tells a great story about a drifter last summer who was attempting to steal a cop's private car from in front of his house. He and the cop who owned the car approached the guy whilst his head was under the dashboard.

Chief: "What exactly do you think you're doing?"
Guy: "It's cool, officer. It belongs to a friend of mine, he said I could borrow it."
Chief: "You are a fucking idiot."
Cop #2: "Can we charge him with that?"

:rofl:

[zanne]

2. I love it!

I needed a laugh this morning.:rofl: