On Tuesday, April 1st, a suspect driving a stolen Mercedes was arrested on the 14 FWY after being sought by law enforcement.
Just before 4pm, CHP was notified of a suspected car thief driving near Mission Hills in a stolen Mercedes. The suspect reached the 405 near Newhall when police started looking for him and he was spotted not long after on the 14 North of Escondido Rd. He was stopped by police and arrested without incident.
Officers took him to the SCV Sheriff Station in Canyon Country where he was booked on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent is covered under California Vehicle Code 10851(a)VC and is described as taking and driving a vehicle without the permission of the owner. The crime is also frequently referred to as “joyriding.”
Joyriding charges are generally less severe than grand theft auto charges. Covered under California Penal Code 487(d)(1) PC, grand theft auto is described as taking someone else’s vehicle (worth $950 or more) without the owner’s consent and with the intention of depriving the owner of the vehicle’s use for an extended period of time.
The determining factor in whether a person is charged with GTA or joyriding depends on the amount of time the suspect intended to deprive the owner the vehicle’s use. For example, someone who steals a car to drive around, have a good time, and then ditch the vehicle someplace would likely be charged with joyriding since they left the vehicle in nobody else’s possession and didn’t intend to return.
However, if an individual intends to keep the vehicle, sell the vehicle, or otherwise transfer the vehicle to someone else, they are more likely to be charged with GTA.
Joyriding, or 10851(a) VC can be charged as wither a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the crime. If charged as a misdemeanor the potential penalties include up to 1 year in county jail and up to $5,000 in fines. When charged as a felony the potential penalties include 16 months to 3 years in county jail, with the potential for steeper punishment if the individual has prior criminal history and/or stole a police car, fire engine, ambulance, or a vehicle modified to transport disabled people.
