CHICAGO — How is it possible to get charged with auto theft when you own the car that was allegedly stolen? That’s a question Malik Matthews may be answering for years to come.
Matthews, 28, is accused of stealing his own car from the City of Chicago auto pound at 701 North Sacramento last weekend. He works, or at least worked, at the pound as an unarmed security guard.
Matthews “fled the police lot” with the car while working there as security last Saturday, officials said. The city had seized his 2008 Pontiac G6 for failure to pay violations totaling $6,538.60, according to his CPD arrest report. That’s probably more than the car is worth.
Cops arrested him at the security company’s office Tuesday for, according to the criminal complaint against him, “intending to deprive City of Chicago permanently of the use/benefit of” the 15-year-old Pontiac.
Judge Maryam Ahmad released him from custody on Wednesday with instructions to stay away from the auto pound and to show up for court.
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