Florence police unwittingly help suspected car thief after running out of gas

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – Officers from the Florence Police Department (FPD) recently assisted a suspected thief when the vehicle he is accused of stealing stalled…twice.

At around 10 a.m. on May 24, FPD officers saw a vehicle driven by Roddrecuz Winston stalled in the area of ​​Cox Creek Parkway and Chisholm Road. Those officers bought gasoline, thinking the vehicle was empty, authorities said.

The vehicle stalled again before finally being parked in Fairgrounds Park and Winston was then taken to the Salvation Army.

Later that day, police said they received a call from the owner of the vehicle saying it was stolen from their home, adding that the offender should have entered their home to get the key.

Detectives were called to launch an investigation, which resulted in Winston being charged with first-degree theft of property and second-degree burglary.

Winston was taken to the Lauderdale County Detention Center on $60,000 bond.