Polk County sheriff's deputies searching for a suspect in a stolen sport utility vehicle case found the man at his home playing the video game "Grand Theft Auto III," the sheriff's office said
Michael Ray Ekes, 30, of 115 Arbuthnot Lane, was arrested and charged with grand theft auto, burglary of a conveyance, possession of burglary tools with intent to use, and possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Deputies tracked Ekes after receiving a call Thursday afternoon of a 1998 green Dodge Durango that was stolen from the parking lot of a Sebring Walmart store, sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said.
The Durango was found in front of Ekes' home later Thursday, Wood said.
The vehicle's steering column was broken, and the ignition switch was missing, deputies said.
When deputies searched the vehicle, they found a ski mask, screwdrivers and pliers on the passenger-side floorboard and seat, Woods said.
Woods said that deputies asked Ekes what he thought of the "Grand Theft Auto III" video game and that he replied, "It's a blast."
At the time of his arrest, Ekes was out on bail on two counts of grand theft auto in an unrelated case, Woods said.
Ekes was also on probation on drug-related offenses, fleeing to elude and additional grand theft auto charges after being released from prison Oct. 19, she said.
Sheriff Grady Judd was blunt in his remarks.
"Crime is not a game," Judd said.
"Real-life crime has real-life consequences - and I hope he goes to prison for a good long while, where they don't have 'Grand Theft Auto' video games," he said.
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