A man has accused of stealing an elderly couple’s car at night and returning it before morning over and over again, so that he could use it as a getaway vehicle in multiple other heists.
The suspect, identified as Michael Armando Lopez, was eventually arrested last week after authorities found him behind the wheel of Beverly Havard’s van. When faced with deputies trying to apprehend him, Lopez sped off and eventually crashed into a pole.
According to ABC13 News, Havard had been noticing changes to her vehicle after initially misplacing her spare key.
“The seat was pulled back and the mirrors were adjusted,” she said, before adding “Somebody’s been driving my car and bringing it back. I know I’m not crazy.”
Unfortunately, it turns out that the Havards really needed their van (now damaged), which was designed specifically for Beverly’s disabled husband, Rick.
“I had to cancel his doctor’s appointment. I hope he’s satisfied that he took advantage of an elderly person that’s very sick and that can’t be transported to go anywhere.”
As for his other crimes, according to deputies, a man believed by investigators to be Lopez was captured on surveillance cameras rummaging through other people’s cars in the same neighborhood where the Havards live. In fact, other cars were burglarized on the exact same nights in which Lopez stole the Harvard’s van. Not a tough case to crack this one.