Man takes back his stolen truck
Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 2:24 pm
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. (Court TV) — When a car thief stole a truck from Joe Francis, he probably didn't anticipate the vehicle disappearing after he parked it.
But that's exactly what happened, after the truck's owner tracked down his stolen vehicle, hopped in and drove off.
Joe Francis did not have theft insurance on his truck when it was stolen Monday, but he did have luck.
Francis was on his way to Brookings, Ore., Tuesday to buy a new car when he spotted his stolen truck traveling in the opposite direction with a man later identified as Shawn Ray Hill, 38, a parolee from Folsom State Prison, behind the wheel.
Francis turned around and followed his truck, which turned off the highway, parked in a driveway and entered a home, according to Francis.
Armed with pepper spray from his fiancee's purse, Francis climbed into the truck and took it back. Apparently, the keys were still in the ignition where they often got stuck, according to Francis.
Francis drove away and called the California Highway Patrol, who arrived and arrested Hill. He is charged with taking a vehicle without consent and receiving stolen property.
Hill is set to appear in Del Norte County court on Oct. 6 for a trial readiness conference.
But that's exactly what happened, after the truck's owner tracked down his stolen vehicle, hopped in and drove off.
Joe Francis did not have theft insurance on his truck when it was stolen Monday, but he did have luck.
Francis was on his way to Brookings, Ore., Tuesday to buy a new car when he spotted his stolen truck traveling in the opposite direction with a man later identified as Shawn Ray Hill, 38, a parolee from Folsom State Prison, behind the wheel.
Francis turned around and followed his truck, which turned off the highway, parked in a driveway and entered a home, according to Francis.
Armed with pepper spray from his fiancee's purse, Francis climbed into the truck and took it back. Apparently, the keys were still in the ignition where they often got stuck, according to Francis.
Francis drove away and called the California Highway Patrol, who arrived and arrested Hill. He is charged with taking a vehicle without consent and receiving stolen property.
Hill is set to appear in Del Norte County court on Oct. 6 for a trial readiness conference.