Man Pulled Over in Stolen Car While En Route to Court to Face Auto Theft Charge: Cops

A California man is accused of driving a stolen vehicle to a court where he reportedly planned to plead guilty to stealing another vehicle.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Tuesday that a deputy spotted what was believed to be a stolen Chevy Silverado pickup truck at about 7 a.m.

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Upon pulling over the truck, the deputy said the driver, identified as 52-year-old Timothy Lane of Dinuba, said he was heading to court in Fresno to finalize a plea deal he had made with the District Attorney’s Office. 

Lane was planning to accept 3 and a half years in jail for his involvement in a previous auto theft case, the sheriff's statement said.  

Lane claimed he did not know the truck he was driving was stolen.

"However, Deputy Burk was not buying his story as he could see the truck’s ignition had been altered and a pair of pliers were being used to start the engine," the statement said.

Lane was placed under arrest. He is facing felony charges of auto theft and possession of stolen property.

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His bail has been set at $22,500.

The truck was towed to storage and arrangements are being made to return the vehicle to its rightful owner.

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