By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

A Spencer teen remains in the county jail today after police say he took a car that was being heated on a cold morning in a Reamer Circle driveway.

Sebastian Tayez Johnson, 17, was charged with felony larceny, misdemeanor no operator’s license and misdemeanor resist, obstruct, delay an officer. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond and remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Salisbury Police said the incident occurred Tuesday around 4:30 a.m. Authorities got a call from someone saying they were following a vehicle that was stolen from Reamer Circle.

The 2001 Honda Odyssey was being warmed up, and the owner was following the vehicle in his other vehicle. Police officers in the area located the vehicle near Marsh Street and attempted to make a traffic stop.

The person behind the wheel, later identified as Sebastian Johnson, jumped from the vehicle and took off running.

The vehicle wasn’t put into gear and rolled into a telephone pole, a report said. The officer who was in pursuit stopped to check on the vehicle believing someone else may have been hurt inside. The damage was valued at $6,500.

Another officer caught up to the suspect, who police said had fallen several times in the mud. He was apprehended not far from Marsh Street.

Johnson was convicted Feb. 1 of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods.

Police advise if the owner of a car intends to warm a car during cold weather that they lock it with a spare key.

Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said if the owner has one key, then she’d advise the owner sit in the car while it warms and not leave it unattended.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.