A Salisbury man’s attempt to trick police officers into believing the tires he was replacing on his car early Thursday morning were his own was foiled after police walked across the street to find two tires missing from another car.
According to the police report, Jake Ellenburg’s car had two flats, and he pulled into a driveway at 424 W. Horah St. to figure out a plan. That’s when police got a call about a suspicious person and responded.
Police got there and Ellenburg told them his girlfriend had walked down the road to get help. He said he would change the tires and leave.
The officers left, but were quickly called back after a neighbor watched Ellenburg walking from an apartment complex across the street with two tires in his arms, rims and all.
Police asked Ellenburg about the tires and asked him to open his trunk, which revealed the tires. The police officer walked across the street and saw two tires were missing from a Nissan Sentra.
Ellenburg, 20, of 1705 S. Main St., was charged with misdemeanor larceny and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was placed in jail under a $500 secured bond.