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Volusia County, FL - A Florida man is facing criminal charges after Volusia County deputies said he allegedly stole a BMW from a local park and later crashed it while traveling at an extremely high speed.
Deputies reported that the vehicle’s owner had parked the BMW at Bicentennial Park on Monday and left it unlocked with the keys inside a closed cup holder while walking his dog. When he returned, the car was missing.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the BMW was found only minutes later after crashing near Old Dixie Highway and Plantation Oaks Boulevard.
Witnesses told deputies that the driver was traveling at speeds estimated to be over 100 miles per hour before losing control and wrecking the vehicle.
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Several bystanders helped pull the driver out of the damaged BMW before authorities arrived.
Deputies identified the man as 36 year old Calvin Johnson.
According to the arrest report, Johnson allegedly told deputies that he had not stolen the vehicle and instead claimed he had “teleported” into it.
Deputies noted that no evidence supported this explanation.
The report stated that Johnson’s driver’s license was suspended at the time of the crash.
Johnson was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation following the incident.
The sheriff’s office said that once he is released, he will be taken to the Volusia County Jail.
He is expected to face charges including grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license. The investigation into the case is ongoing.