Test Drive turns into a Stolen Vehicle
On 1/25/14, (Suspect) Kevin Augustus Padgett (6/20/1980) decided to take a jeep for a test drive from Milton Chevy. What happened after landed him in jail
Witnesses stated Padgett arrived at the Milton Chevy and selected to test drive a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle was brought up to the front of the building for the test drive. When Padgett was asked for his driver’s license, he jumped into the vehicle and fled the dealership.
Deputies were able to locate the jeep which fled southbound on Avalon Blvd; this was at approximately 1625 hrs. Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle when it began to speed away. Deputies described the vehicle as driving reckless and without due caution to other motorists on the roadway. The Deputy followed the vehicle from a safe distance.
The vehicle was observed driving on its rims as large pieces of tires were breaking apart from the vehicle. The suspect then observed another Deputy’s vehicle and swerved towards the Deputy. The Jeep proceeds to later stop near Jenny Circle where the driver bailed out of the vehicle. The driver was apprehended by the Deputies.
The driver was subsequently arrested and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000.00.