FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man questioned about vehicle break-ins admitted to taking a sport utility vehicle for a joy ride after watching the driver walk away, according to police.
Police questioned Melvin Farris, 22, of 2860 Coy Kaylor Drive because they suspected him in break-ins and vehicle thefts, according to a preliminary police report for Farris' arrest.
On Sept. 24, a person reported $50 in change missing from an unlocked Cadillac parked overnight in the 1500 block of Plum Tree Drive, according to police. During a police interview Saturday, Farris acknowledged taking $50 in change from a Cadillac in September, according to the report.
When questioned about stolen vehicles, Farris told police he had taken a brown SUV, according to the report. Farris told police that the driver appeared intoxicated, dropped the keys to the vehicle and walked away. Farris said he took the vehicle for a ride before allowing a relative to use it, the report said.
Police went to the area where Farris said the vehicle was parked and found a GMC Terrain that had been reported stolen Nov. 8 from Mountain Ranch Apartments, 400 N. Coral Canyon Loop, according to the police report.
Farris was arrested Saturday and booked into the Washington County jail on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, breaking or entering and theft of property from a vehicle. Farris was not listed on the jail roster Monday.
Metro on 11/25/2015