Ex-inmate steals corrections vehicle minutes after release

In an ironic twist of fate, a man’s fleeting moment of freedom concluded almost as soon as it began, following his decision to steal a vehicle belonging to the corrections department. This peculiar incident unfolded in Decatur, Alabama, mere minutes after the individual was released from the Morgan County jail.

Having served 568 days and 17 hours for burglary, possession, and traffic charges, the man saw his liberty swiftly revoked on March 7th. In a move that bewildered law enforcement, he opted to commandeer a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria, a vintage corrections vehicle, from the jail’s parking lot.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, in a news release dated March 8th, detailed the sequence of events leading to the man’s prompt recapture. A jail lieutenant, witnessing the theft, managed to tail the vehicle, alerting nearby units which resulted in the quick recovery of the car on 6th Ave in Decatur, less than 2 miles from the jail.

This rapid turn of events saw the individual re-arrested and returned to the Morgan County Jail, facing charges of first-degree theft. His bond has been set at $20,000, adding another chapter to his already checkered interaction with law enforcement.

Prior records from August 2022 reveal his arrest on charges related to auto break-ins and failing to appear, comply, or pay. Interestingly, the direction of his attempted escape was noted as being opposite to his home, leaving the intended destination of his ill-fated journey a matter for speculation.

This unusual incident not only highlights the unpredictability of human behavior but also serves as a reminder of the ever-watchful eye of law enforcement, ready to act even when it seems the chapter is closed.