A Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy recovered a stolen vehicle last week before it was reported missing.
Deputy Jarrod Elrod said he was monitoring traffic with a LIDAR unit Aug. 1 about 6:30 a.m. on Highway 18 East when he clocked a vehicle coming from the City of Gray traveling 77 mph in a 55 mph zone.
LIDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging that uses a laser to measure distances.
Elrod said he pulled behind the vehicle and noticed it did not have a tag. He said he activated his blue lights to conduct a traffic stop and used his PA system for the driver to put the car in park before he approached.
The deputy said the driver identified himself as Christopher Yates but had no type of identification or phone on him.
Elrod said he noticed that the vehicle was immaculately clean and was completely empty except for the owner’s manual. He said the key fob was in the center cup holder with a plastic identification tag commonly used on rental cars.
The deputy said he asked dispatch to run the vehicle identification number and it came back as registered to Hertz Rental out of Florida.
Elrod said, when he questioned Yates about where he was coming from, he said from a motel in Gray, but he could not identify which one. Neither could he explain how he came in possession of the vehicle.
The deputy said the driver was acting confused, and he requested EMS to come evaluate him. Elrod said EMS transported the driver to the hospital for a mental evaluation.
The deputy said he found out the next day that the vehicle had been stolen from a local car lot. He said a check of the VIN number revealed Hertz had sold the car at auction, and the JCSO later received a call from the car lot reporting the car stolen.
He said the car lot retrieved the vehicle after finding out it had been recovered. Elrod said it was believed the key was accidently left in the car on the lot after it had been cleaned up, and Yates was in the area.
The deputy said warrants have been issued for Yates’ arrest on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, speeding, driving with an expired tag and no driver’s license. He said Yates has not had a valid driver’s license since 2012. Elrod said Yates is believed to be homeless and was released from the hospital before the warrants were issued.
The deputy said information about the warrants had been passed to Bibb County.
