Stolen City Truck Follows Woman, Sparking Panic

Convicted sex offender arrested after taking vehicle left running by city worker

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:08pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a set of keys and a steering wheel from a stolen city truck, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty details of a crime involving a stolen municipal vehicle.A stolen city vehicle used to terrorize an unsuspecting woman highlights the need for tighter security measures and better oversight of municipal equipment.Cleveland Today

A woman in Cleveland called 911 in a panic after she noticed a city of Cleveland truck following her, leading to the arrest of a convicted sex offender who had stolen the vehicle when a city worker left it running and unattended.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks posed by leaving municipal vehicles unsecured, as well as the potential danger faced by citizens when criminals take advantage of such lapses in judgment. It also raises concerns about the supervision and monitoring of high-risk offenders in the community.

The details

According to police reports, a Division of Streets worker had left a city truck running while using the restroom, allowing a suspected thief with a history of sex crimes to steal the vehicle. The woman called 911 after noticing the truck following her, leading to a police response and the arrest of the suspect, who was found not wearing shoes and using gloves as makeshift socks.

  • The incident occurred on April 3, 2026.
  • The woman called 911 to report the truck following her.

The players

Brooklyn Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the woman's 911 call and apprehended the suspect.

Cleveland Division of Streets

The municipal department that employed the worker who left the city truck running, leading to the theft.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutors

The prosecutors who have indicted the suspect on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle.

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What they’re saying

“I go and turn the opposite way. He follows me again. I'm not stupid. My daughter already told me about people like that. So, I pulled into McDonald's, and he still kept following me. I'm, like, 'oh, no.'”

— Unidentified Woman, Victim

“Where's your shoes?”

— Police Officer

“I lost my shoes. I'm already in a shelter.”

— Suspect

“Why are you in a city of Cleveland vehicle if you don't drive for the city of Cleveland?”

— Police Officer

“I'm not gonna answer any more questions without..”

— Suspect

What’s next

Prosecutors will continue to build their case against the suspect, who is a convicted sex offender, and the investigation will likely examine the city's policies and procedures for securing municipal vehicles to prevent future thefts.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for tighter security measures and better oversight of city equipment to protect both municipal workers and the public from the actions of criminals. It also raises concerns about the supervision and monitoring of high-risk offenders in the community.