Couple stole car, drove it to courthouse to get to hearing, police say
Needing transportation to a neighboring county for a court hearing, a California couple stole a car from a Redding auto dealership, authorities say.
But the 2001 Mitsubishi was equipped with a GPS tracking device, and the dealership called police Friday afternoon to report that the vehicle was parked in front of the Tuolumne County Courthouse in Sonora, reports the Modesto Bee.
Responding police officers found the vehicle, with different plates. Soon Teresa Castillo, 45, appeared, and told them she and her husband had bought the car earlier that day for $200 to get to his court hearing there, the newspaper recounts.
When police tracked down James Manning, 49, inside the courthouse, he eventually admitted the car was stolen, authorities say. Now, in addition to the possession of a controlled substance case for which he appeared in court on Friday, Manning is also charged with new felonies: possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance. (Police found marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the stolen car when they searched it.)
His wife also was charged.
The article doesn’t include any comment from the couple or their legal counsel.
Hat tip: Daily Mail
