City police have arrested a 20-year-old man listed as a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersberg who they say tried to steal a running police car from the Fort Pierce Police Station — with the officer still inside.
According to a department report, Aaron Rodriguez III told officers he tried to steal the car July 17 so he could have a ride home.
He approached the passenger side of the car and shook the rear and front door handles. The officer then got out of his car and Rodriguez ran through the parking lot and hid behind another vehicle.
Officers took two cellphones, a portable speaker, $20 and a small pipe with marijuana residue from Rodriguez after he was detained.
Rodriguez was taken to the St. Lucie County Jail and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, loitering and possession of drug equipment. He remained in custody Thursday afternoon, with his bail set at $15,875.
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