A man contacted the Paducah Police Department on Wednesday to report that he saw a black man wearing a black jacket driving down South 5th Street in his pickup truck. The victim told officers that the keys had been left in the vehicle, and it had been parked at City Hall.
Officers located the truck in the 900 block of Leake Avenue a short time later. Deputies and K9 deputies were reportedly able to track down a suspect at an apartment in the 1200 block of South 9th Street.
At the apartment officers located 20-year-old Antonio M. Jones. Officers say Jones matched the description given by the truck owner. Officers claim that when questioned about the incident, Jones admitted that he had just been released from the McCracken County Jail and was walking past the vehicle when he saw the keys on the ground. Jones reportedly told officers that he had no driver's license, but that he was in the truck only a few minutes and drove it straight to his uncle's house.
According to the Paducah Police Department, surveillance footage was recovered that shows the truck was stolen at about 11 a.m., just minutes after Jones had been released from jail. Inside of the vehicle officers reportedly found Jones' release paperwork from the jail. He had previously been arrested on Wednesday at a convenience store on charges of theft by unlawful taking and alcohol intoxication.
Jones was arrested and lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
He is charged with theft by unlawful taking (automobile, more than $500 but less than $10,000).
