A Brownwood Man was arrested after he allegedly took a new brown 2011 model Toyota Tundra pickup from the Bruner Toyota’s lot after finding the keys in it and the doors unlocked.
According to police reports, the man stated that he did not have permission but that “finding the keys being in the vehicle was permission enough.”
Police were called to a residence on Dallas Street at approximately 1:00am Saturday regarding a possible stolen vehicle. According to the report, the complainant stated that the vehicle had been taken by the suspect, 46-year-old Scott Milton Abernathy, and that he may have taken it to his home on Cherry Street. When officers went to the Cherry Street location in an effort to locate Abernathy and the pickup, they were greeted by a woman who told them he was not home but pointed to the Taylor Chevron nearby and said Abernathy was walking toward them, the report states.
Police detained Abernathy at that time and continued their investigation. Officers went to the Chevron station and found the pickup which had license plates and had writing on the windshield, “last 2011” and “Save $$$$.” The odometer stated 75 miles and the paper mats were still in the floorboards.
While waiting for representatives from Bruner to arrive at the location, officers spoke to Abernathy about how he came to be in the possession of the pickup. According to the report, Abernathy told officers he had gone walking with his dog as it was getting dark and as he walked by the Bruner lot, he decided to check the vehicles for keys and he found this one unlocked with the key in it. Abernathy stated that he remembered the vehicle had 67 miles on it when he took it, the report states.
David Bohn of Bruner Auto Group arrived. According to the report, Bohn told officers that Bruner staff checks that the vehicles are locked as well as all keys removed; however indicated that they must have missed one. Bohn also stated that the dealership did wish to pursue criminal charges for the theft of the vehicle, the report states.
Abernathy was then arrested and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. He remains in the Brown County Jail held in lieu of $5000 bond as of Monday morning.
