JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The man who reported seeing a patrol car stolen was charged in connection with the theft.
An officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office left the patrol car secured during a property check Tuesday night at King Food Store on Main Street. When the officer returned to the patrol car, it wasn't there.
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The suspect, Michael Planes, called police and said he witnessed the patrol car being stolen outside an apartment, JSO said.
Officers located the car about 40 minutes later in the 11000 block of Palm Lake Drive.
JSO said they found keys that didn't belong to the officer on the floorboard. The house key on the key ring worked the dead bolt lock on the suspect's door.
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The officer said his department-issued rifle, loaded magazines, police jacket and more were reported missing from the car.
The items reported stolen from the patrol car were found in the suspect's apartment.
Planes admitted to police to stealing the patrol car and the equipment, JSO said. He is charged with grand theft from law enforcement and theft of a motor vehicle.
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