The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 39-year-old Illinois man after he was caught driving a stolen U-Haul truck.
On Tuesday, an MCSO deputy observed a white U-Haul truck that was traveling southbound on S U.S. Highway 441 in Marion County. According to the MCSO report, a check of the U-Haul’s tag revealed that it was listed as stolen out of North Carolina.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop of the U-Haul in the parking lot of the Winn-Dixie located at 11310 S U.S. Highway 301 in Belleview. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as Michael C. Brizendine, was detained.
After being read his Miranda rights, Brizendine told the deputy that he had rented the U-Haul in North Carolina and was in the process of moving to Florida. He claimed that he had a contract with U-Haul and was unaware that the vehicle had been reported as stolen.
In the MCSO report, the deputy noted that contact was made with the law enforcement agency in North Carolina and the U-Haul was confirmed to be stolen.
Brizendine was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for grand theft of a motor vehicle.
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, December 20 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.