Car Thief Captured Playing Grand Theft Auto
Florida man was getting pointers from a video game
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LONDON - APRIL 29: A young man plays Grand Theft Auto IV on the game's day of release on April 29, 2008 in London, England. The game designed for the Playstation 3 was in high demand and sold out in stores across London during its first day of sale. (Photo by Cate Gillon/Getty Images)
Running around and pulling people out of their cars earns you big bucks in the "Grand Theft Auto" video games.
It just earns you a trip to jail in real life.
A central Florida man was apparently getting some pointers from his video games when police nabbed him for - you guessed it - grand theft auto on Thursday.
Michael Ray Eke, 30, allegedly stole a 1998 Dodge Durango earlier this week and drove it to his home in Haines City. When police finally tracked him down, they found Ekes inside his house wreaking havoc on the mythical streets of the popular violent video game.
Unlike the brash lead character in the game, Ekes didn't get into a shoot out with the police (there are no continues or life meters in reality, either).
When police asked if the "Grand Theft Auto" video game was anything like the real thing, a stoned Elks replied, "It's a blast."
Ekes was charged with grand theft auto, burglary and drug possession. At the time of his arrest, he was out of jail on bond for another grand theft auto charge. He was still in jail on Friday. No word if they allow video game play in the Polk County slammer.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC 6 Miami
Posted Friday, Jan 22, 2010 - 6:29 PM EST
