The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
The series of alleged events took place in Volusia County and began in Ormond Beach, where a BMW owner briefly stepped away from his vehicle at Bicentennial Park while walking his dog. The car had been left unlocked, and the keys were reportedly sitting inside. Deputies later said someone appeared to take advantage of that opportunity and drove away in the convertible. A witness in the park recalled seeing a man who seemed disoriented get into the BMW. The witness later told the authorities that the individual had behaved oddly and had asked for help lighting a cigarette.
Not long after the vehicle was reported stolen, deputies spotted it traveling at extremely high speeds, estimated at more than 130 miles per hour. The BMW eventually crashed near a local intersection. When deputies arrived, the car was already in flames, and passing motorists had begun pulling the driver from the wreckage. First responders also worked to extinguish the burning vehicle. Body-camera video later released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office showed the man was injured and had blood on his face.
According to the arrest affidavit, when talking to the driver, he repeatedly claimed he had somehow been transported into the car, in addition to making statements about how they rescued him from extraterrestrial danger. Authorities noted that he also mentioned fictional characters while trying to describe what he believed had happened.
The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. It is expected that he will face charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a license that has been suspended or revoked. At the time this was written, he was being held at the Volusia County Jail in lieu of a $2,650 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.