Couple Steals Car So They Won’t Be Late For Court

James Manning and Teresa Castillo hit bottom …and then started digging.

The California couple is accused of stealing a car in order to make it to criminal court, where Manning was facing charges of possession of a controlled substance.

According to The Modesto Bee, the police discovered the crime last Friday afternoon, when a car dealership in Redding, California reported that a 2001 Mitsubishi had been stolen from their lot. (Yes, someone stole a 2001 Mitsubushi.) Via the car’s GPS locator, police were able to track the vehicle and surprisingly found it sitting in the Tuolumne County Courthouse parking lot.

Police staked out the vehicle and stopped Castillo when she approached the car. She claimed to have purchased the car for $200 (which is far below the car’s stated Blue Book value) earlier in the day, specifically to make it to Manning’s court appearance in Sonora, CA.

Police tracked down Manning inside the courthouse to corroborate her story, but after questioning, he admitted to having stolen the vehicle. When cops searched the car, they found marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Castillo and Manning were then booked into Tuolumne County Jail on felony charges of possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

No word on the outcome of Manning’s initial court appearance or whether he made it there on time.

[Via The Modesto Bee]

MORE: Long-Haired Lady Sues Walmart for Ruining Her Locks

MORE: Toddler Gets Ticketed While Driving Toy Car