A 24-year-old Farmington man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a car from outside Stockham’s Gas Mart, 11845 Hwy. CC, south of Festus. The theft happened at 6:35 p.m. Sept. 21, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The car, a 2012 Nissan Versa valued at $5,000, was recovered and the suspect was arrested on Sept. 24 in Ste. Genevieve, the report said.
The victim told deputies she parked her car at the gas station, and a man standing outside asked her if she would give him a ride. The woman said she told the suspect no and went inside the business. When she went back outside, both the car and the suspect were gone, according to the report.
The victim told investigators she had left the car keys in the driver-side door and left the car unlocked, the report said.
On Oct. 15, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said Ste. Genevieve Police found the car “hidden on a vacant lot in Ste. Genevieve.”
The suspect “was present and was arrested by Ste. Genevieve Police and then taken to their county jail,” Bissell said.
He said authorities are seeking a charge against the Farmington man for first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle
Bissell also said the vehicle, which had damage to the front driver’s side, was returned to the owner.