Man Arrested on Vehicle Theft Charges

At 9:30 p.m Monday, Joseph Nils Lucas, 28, stole a vehicle from a Dunkin’ Donuts in Land O’ Lakes, according to Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies.

The stolen vehicle ran out of gas down the road from the Dunkin’ Donuts, according to Kevin Doll, Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Pre-dawn Tuesday, Lucas, of Tarpon Springs, stole a pickup. A deputy saw it peeling out from a 7-Eleven at 12852 State Road 52 in Hudson. A victim in the 7-Eleven parking lot said his truck was just stolen. The arrest report lists the offense time as 3:51 a.m.

The deputy drove down Key Lime Drive, turned left onto Oconee Boulevard and then saw the pickup’s lights on Lake Drive, according to the arresst report.

The deputy followed. Then, on Wonder Avenue, the pickup “ran into a lake,” according to the arrest report. Lucas ran from it toward Rose Haven Boulevard.  A K-9 unit was called, and Lucas was arrested as he hid in the woods at Rose haven Boulevard and Moon Lake Road, north  of Moon Lake Estates.

Lucas was charged with two counts of grand theft auto and one count of fleeing to elude.