Deputies searching for a suspect they say stole a sport utility vehicle found him at his Haines City home playing the video game "Grand Theft Auto III," the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
Michael Ray Ekes, 30, of 115 Arbuthnot Lane, was arrested and charged with - you guessed it - grand theft auto, along with burglary of a conveyance, possession of burglary tools with intent to use, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deputies tracked down Ekes after receiving a call on Thursday afternoon that reported a 1998 green Dodge Durango stolen from the parking lot of a Sebring Walmart, sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said.
The Durango was found in front of Ekes' home later that day, Wood said. The vehicle's steering column was broken, and the ignition switch was missing, deputies said.
When detectives searched the vehicle, they found a ski mask, screwdrivers and pliers on the passenger-side floorboard and seat.
Authorities asked Ekes what he thought of the "Grand Theft Auto III" video game, Wood said.
Ekes replied, "It's a blast."
At the time of his arrest Thursday, Ekes was out on bail on two counts of grand theft auto in an unrelated case, Wood said. He 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.
"Crime is not a game," Sheriff Grady 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."
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