Manatee County sheriff’s deputies caught up with a man who allegedly stole his friend’s VW van after it broke down near Cortez.
He was arrested for theft, as well as driving impaired and driving without a license.
Lamar Muggridge, 54, allegedly stole a van belonging to a friend Sept. 20 after the friend passed out on his living room floor. The friend was allowing Muggridge to live with him at his home.
A week later, MCSO deputies found a vehicle stopped in the 10400 block of Cortez Road West and made the connection to the stolen van.
Deputy Andrew Kish observed the vehicle not moving and without lights at 9:23 p.m. Muggridge told the deputy he did not have a license and, because the vehicle was not his, he could not locate the registration or insurance.
Kish determined Muggridge was a habitual traffic offender with multiple suspensions and revocations for driving with a suspended or revoked license and two prior DUI convictions, according to an MCSO report.
Muggridge was arrested for vehicle theft, driving under the influence and driving while his license was suspended or revoked and was transported to the Manatee County jail.
Muggridge pleaded not guilty to the three charges and remained in custody at the Manatee County jail as of press time Oct. 21.
His arraignments were set for Oct. 18, Oct. 22 and Oct. 25 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave., W., Bradenton.