Michael Ray Ekes, Alleged Car Thief, Nabbed Playing 'Grand Theft Auto'

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sheriff's deputies in central Florida found a suspected car thief playing the "Grand Theft Auto" video game, and they later charged him with just that.

Polk County deputies investigating the theft of a 1998 Dodge Durango arrested 30-year-old Michael Ray Ekes on Thursday. They found the SUV outside a Haines City home. Ekes was inside in the house, playing the popular video game.

Ekes was charged with grand theft auto, burglary and drug possession. At the time of his arrest, he was out of jail on bond for another grand theft auto charge.

According to Polk County jail records, Ekes remained in custody Friday. Bond had not been set and no attorney was listed.

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Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com

Comments

[tehixe]

03:30 PM on 01/24/2010

I guess he must have learned to steal cars from the game. There, you smash the window, drive off, and park it in front of your apartment while you take a nap or whatever, and the police NEVER find you.

[StarDagger]

09:09 PM on 01/23/2010

Noob, he should have had a look out or playing somewhere "safe" like a mafia safe house.

[NC4Obama]

09:25 AM on 01/23/2010

GTA 4 sold 13 million copies, there is bound to be a few people that steal cars in that group, just because of the size of the group.

[pebblesvanpeebles]

11:59 PM on 01/22/2010

Life imitating "art". These and war-oriented games are teaching people that a game is all life is, and it's dangerous.

[Angelus2007]

03:04 PM on 01/23/2010

That is insane, I play many violent video games, and have never stolen a car, shot someone, attacked anyone. This is a simple, some car stealing thug also like to play video games. If he was watching Sesame Street would that mean muppets make you steal cars?

[Caru]

03:31 PM on 01/23/2010

Life is a game and the stakes are always high.

[StarDagger]

08:32 PM on 01/23/2010

The graphics in that mysterious place called "Outside" are great and higher than 30 frames a second, but there is no respawn!

[Prakosh]

09:42 PM on 01/22/2010

This guy should wind up on one of Olbermann's segments for dumb criminals. Anyone who steals a car, drives it home, and parks it in front of his house deserves to be popped! He should get an extra year for general stupidity!

[tehixe]

03:28 PM on 01/24/2010

We don't punish stupidity extra, that would teach the criminals to be smarter and we'd never catch them.

[leanjhuls]

09:12 PM on 01/22/2010

At least he doesn't carry guns around and beat and shoot random people, and the police could actually bust him and locate the car, opposite to what's in the game.

[Sing Out and Slap Iron]

08:15 PM on 01/22/2010

Irony or karma? I can't decide!

[Smurfaveli]

08:14 PM on 01/22/2010

I've played GTA for years and haven't stolen a car yet. I hope I don't fall victim to this game and go against all my common sense and start stealing cars along with jumping from overpasses and beating up prostitutes.

[spiritintosoul]

08:13 PM on 01/22/2010

i think its just about irony and nothing else. and yeah, the games character would have it in a garage...

[heather65]

07:32 PM on 01/22/2010

he should've put the car in his garage...that's what the game's charactar would do.

[Firestarterfive]

05:58 PM on 01/22/2010

Niko wouldn't be that stupid.

[paulbikes]

05:46 PM on 01/22/2010

Not news. People don't steal cars because they play grand theft auto.

[Jay818]

05:25 PM on 01/22/2010

is this on here for the irony? or to make a point?

If you are trying to make a point, I play the game and would never steal a car.....

[atretrioeciii]

08:54 PM on 01/22/2010

It's friday! You know, newsdump day.