“On 9/15/2015 the victim Austin Hart reported his vehicle stolen a 2001 White Acura 4D, VA tag# WNX-8976. Mr. Hart stated that he parked his vehicle at the gas pump to the police that he left his engine running with the keys in it, at the Wilco Gas Station located at 3301 Victory Blvd. The victim stated that when he came out of the gas station, his car was missing and he did not see who took his vehicle. On September 15, 2015 at 2:20p.m., police observed the stolen vehicle going eastbound at the 1800 block of London Blvd. When police were about to initiate contact with the vehicle with traffic stop the vehicle turned down Peninsula Ave. and the occupants abandoned the vehicle while it was still in drive gear. One of the passengers of the vehicle was apprehended and interviewed by Detectives. The passenger identified the driver in a photo lineup as Derek Granger, the defendant. …show more content…
Derek stated he was riding in a car with some friends earlier in the day. When the actual driver was questioned by police, he reported Derek was one of the individuals with him in the car. Derek stated he was not found in the car and did not know the car was stolen. He thought the car could have been a rental or borrowed from someone. He accepted the plea because he did not want to be charges with a higher crime. He indicates he did not steal the car. Derek stated he accepts responsibility for the charges he actually committed but not the ones he did not do. He indicates he is being framed by police on all his other pending matters. Derek admits that he was on the run at the time of his offenses and staying with friends. He indicates that he did violate his probation. When asked how he supported himself while he was out with his whereabouts unknown, Derek indicated “he obtained money by shooting