OCALA, Florida (AP) – Police say a paraplegic man stole a vehicle from an Ocala dealership before leading officers on a brief chase.
He was arrested a short time later Wednesday when Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies spotted him at a gas station.
The Ocala Star-Banner reports Shamal Battice went to Ford of Ocala to purchase a vehicle. A salesman showed him around and he decided on a white 2009 Pontiac G6.
Police say the salesman helped Battice into the car so he could see how the car felt. But once inside, he locked the doors, turned on the vehicle and put the end of a folding cane on the gas pedal. He drove away from the lot.
The dealership notified police.
Battice faces a possible charge of grand theft auto.
