The Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse (staff photo)
A 27-year-old man faces a maximum of 20 years in prison after stealing a car, leading police in a pursuit on the interstate and crashing the stolen car.
On Wednesday, Isaac De Jesus Tobar-Morales entered an Alford plea — in which he admits there is enough evidence to prove he is guilty while still maintaining his innocence — on a count of grand larceny of a vehicle.
The James City County man was arrested in October after stealing a Toyota Tacoma from a man who lived in the 600 block of Penniman Road and left his keys in the vehicle, according to a James City County Police report.
Officers were notified of the theft and located the car, following it onto Interstate 64 West and pursuing him as he accelerated at a high rate of speed, police said.
Tobar-Morales eventually reached New Kent County, taking exit 214 off the highway and crashing into a stopped 2011 BMW on the exit ramp.
He was arrested by New Kent County Sheriff’s Office deputies and charged with misdemeanor DUI charge, a felony charge of eluding and evading police, a felony charge of destruction of property, a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving and a misdemeanor charge of no driver’s license out of New Kent County.
All but the felony eluding and evading police charge were dropped in New Kent County, and he received a five-year sentence with three years and 10 months suspended. He is currently serving his New Kent County sentence at East Henrico Jail.
He will be sentenced in Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court for his charge of car theft at 9 a.m. June 10.
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