Expand / Collapse search
☰

Stolen U-Haul's 700-mile journey from Kentucky to Florida ends with arrest: deputies

By
Published  August 20, 2024 2:19pm EDT
News
FOX 35 Orlando
article

Michael Johnson (Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office)

BELLEVIEW, Fla. - The man behind the wheel of a stolen U-Haul was nabbed in Central Florida over the weekend, marking the end of his nearly 700-mile trek across the Southeast U.S., according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office. 

Michael Johnson, 36, of Clay County, Kentucky, was arrested on Sunday and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license after the traffic stop that took place near the Market of Marion in Belleview, an arrest affidavit said. 

Deputies said they pulled the U-Haul truck over on S. Highway 441 after running a search that revealed it was stolen from London, Kentucky – which is located just over 70 miles south of Lexington. During the traffic stop, the driver, identified as Johnson, and a female passenger, who was detained at the time but not taken into custody, were told to get out of the moving truck, the affidavit said. 

Michael Johnson (Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office)

In a post-Miranda interview with deputies, Johnson said a "friend" had rented the U-Haul in Kentucky, but couldn't provide a name or phone number for them. He also said he thought the rental agreement expired on Tuesday. 

'Love Island USA' host Ariana Madix's brother busted with 76 pounds of weed at Orlando airport, police say 

The passenger said Johnson told her he's the one who rented the U-Haul, and she didn't know it was stolen, according to the affidavit. 

The Marion County Sheriff's Office contacted the London Police Department, who said the moving truck was rented under a "fake alias" and wasn't returned when it should have been. 

Michael Johnson (Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office)

During the traffic stop, deputies also learned that Johnson didn't have a driver's license – only an identification card. 

It was not immediately made clear why Johnson was traveling to Florida. 

Florida felon caught with loaded stolen gun at courthouse during fake appointment: sheriff 

"Johnson could not provide a valid explanation for being in possession of the stolen vehicle," the sheriff's office said. 

Michael Johnson (Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office)

Online jail records show that Johnson remains in custody on $6,000 bond. 

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

NewsKentuckyCrime and Public SafetyFlorida