Today a man stole a semi truck from a convenience store in North Carolina and took it on a joyride that finally ended in South Carolina.
Disgruntled Customer Takes Advantage Of Unlocked Truck
The incident began at a convenience store in Lowell this morning around 7:30 a.m.
Police say that a semi truck driver stopped at the Lowell Mini Mart for food, planning to run inside the store for just a few minutes. He left the truck unlocked and the engine running.
That’s when Terry Windell Keesley, 50, sprung into action, according to reports. Keesley was angry because a clerk at the Mini Mart had refused to sell him alcohol around 4 a.m. in accordance with state law. After he was chased off by police, Keesley retreated, but when he caught sight of the unlocked semi, he hopped inside the truck and took off.
Mini Mart clerk Edward Rhyne said that Keesley struggled to get the truck out of the parking lot, nearly hitting two cars and running over a curb.
Keesley made his way to I-485. He crashed into another vehicle in Charlotte but didn’t stop.
Truck Thief Faces Felony Charges
With help from the stolen truck’s GPS, police finally caught up with Keesley in Tega Cay, South Carolina. He was arrested and faces serious charges, including felony stolen motor vehicle and possession of stolen goods. He could also be charged with hit and run.
Police say that Keesley had previously worked as a truck driver.
Lowell Police Chief Scott Bates asks truck drivers not to make things so easy for potential thieves in the future: “Turn your vehicle off, take your keys and lock the doors. If you’re going to leave it running, at least lock the doors.“