In New Mexico, Joseph Allen, 40, is facing charges after authorities say he stole a car without realizing that another guy was still sleeping inside the vehicle at the time.
Joseph Allen of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was arrested and charged with stealing the running car in Vado, New Mexico, on Wednesday, reports the Las Cruces Sun-News.
The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office says the sleeping guy, Ignacio Baca of Las Cruces NM, said it all started after he fell asleep in the back seat of his girlfriend’s 2006 Toyota Corolla, as one does.
Mr. Baca said he'd dropped off his lady friend for her shift working at a truck stop, and decided to park the car and fell asleep instead of venturing further home.
Baca told Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Detective Ileana Adame that he’d left the vehicle running while he was sleeping, and later woke up and realized the car was traveling east on Interstate 10. Baca said he asked the man who the was, and proceeded to punch and choke the stranger.
Court documents allege Allen regained control of the vehicle and pulled over.
Allen then pulled out a knife and slashed Baca on the left side of his rib, and upper right arm, deputies said.
Baca eventually took the triple-edged knife from Allen, who then fled.
More:
Deputies: Man stole car while another man slept inside [apnews.com]