It’s not secret that here at Planetauto, we love all things cars! Well it’s such a huge part of everyday life – cars are not just for getting you from A to B, it can be the epitome of freedom, your livelihood, your…well…everything! Thing is, cars are also a major part of the world of crime, and in Arizona earlier this year, a young man decided to steal a ride in order to get home. Thing is, it wasn’t just any ride…
If you’ve ever found yourself stranded without a ride, you know how desperate things can feel. Maybe you’d call a friend, get a taxi, book an Uber, or even try your luck hitchhiking. So did this Arizona man do any of these? Nope! None of these were options for him. So what was his solution? Hijack an articulated lorry carrying 10 brand-new Chevrolet Corvettes. Yes, you read that right.
(Picture courtesy of Chevrolet Media)
It all started at the Willcox Loves Truck Stop off the I-10 in Cochise County, Arizona. According to the police, 23-year-old Isaiah Walker from Lawton, Oklahoma, had recently been released from jail and was looking for a way to get home. Spotting a Volvo lorry loaded with ten shiny new Corvettes, Walker apparently saw his opportunity.
Authorities say Walker approached the lorry driver, asking questions about the prized sports cars to earn his trust. But as the driver began stepping up into the cab, Walker reportedly shoved him out and took off with the truck and its million-dollar cargo.
Stealing an articulated lorry filled with high-value cars isn’t exactly a subtle getaway. It didn’t take long for the police to spot the stolen lorry as it headed north. When Cochise County deputies attempted to pull Walker over, he allegedly refused to stop, instead ramping up the chaos by driving “recklessly,” according to officials.
The high-stakes escape didn’t last long. Walker eventually veered onto a dirt road where officers cornered him and brought his joyride to an abrupt end. Once in custody, Walker revealed that he wasn’t after the Corvettes at all—he just needed a lift home.
The incident, which sounds like a plot straight out of Grand Theft Auto, earned Walker another trip to jail. This time, he’s facing several charges, including grand theft auto and reckless driving.
The value of the heist? A staggering $1.25 million, the estimated worth of the 10 Chevrolet Corvettes on the lorry. Fortunately, police confirmed that neither the vehicles nor the truck sustained any damage during the stunt. The driver of the lorry also escaped serious injury, though he’s likely left with one wild story to tell.
While the idea of stealing a lorry full of Corvettes might sound like something out of a Hollywood Blockbuster, Walker’s ill-conceived plan serves as a stark reminder that desperation and poor judgment can land you in hot water—or in this case, straight back behind bars.
Thankfully, this bizarre caper ended without harm to the cars, the articulated lorry, or the people involved. And as for Walker? It looks like he’ll be calling a jail cell “home” for the foreseeable future.
Why on earth did he think that stealing such a large and conspicuous vehicle was the way to go?
Mind you, it’s not just a need for a ride that vehicles get stolen. In Yorkshire a van full of pies was stolen just a few weeks ago! Thing is, did they know it was stuffed full of pies when they took it? Now that’s food for thought…(see what I did there, lol) I will have a deeper look at that heist and write about it soon...
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 😊