Driver found asleep in running, stolen car at Huey’s, police say

Deja Davis
·1 min read
13

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man was found asleep in a stolen Nissan Maxima that was left running in a Huey’s parking lot in East Memphis, Memphis Police say.

Kelon Pilate, 27, is charged with theft of property $10,000-$60,000. His bond is set at $5,000.

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Around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers say they were patrolling the area of Erin Drive and Poplar Avenue when they saw a black Nissan Maxima parked at an angle in Huey’s parking lot. The vehicle’s headlights were on, but officers did not see anyone inside.

Police said the tag number was registered to a Chevy Tahoe, not a Nissan.

Police say as they approached the vehicle, they saw a man in the driver’s seat sleeping with the seat reclined. The car was left running and the gearshift was in neutral.

Officers put the vehicle in park and turned the car off. The driver, later identified as Pilate, was then detained.

MPD says they ran the vehicle’s VIN, and found it was reported stolen on February 23. The owner of the vehicle told police she did not give Pilate permission to drive the vehicle.

Pilate told police he paid for the vehicle. According to Kelley Blue Book, the car was worth $17,633.

Pilate was taken into custody on $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.

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