A call regarding an attempted auto theft resulted in the theft of a different vehicle – a police cruiser –  on June 15 in Solsberry. 

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Michael Coy was dispatched to Solsberry regarding a complaint about an attempted auto theft by James Anderson. 

According to the report called into dispatch, the caller claimed Anderson tried to steal his vehicle. 

When arriving at the scene, Deputy Coy found Anderson being removed from a white SUV – the vehicle in which the caller said he attempted to steal. 

Anderson was detained for further investigation of the incident. Anderson complied, was placed in handcuffs, and placed in the back of Coy’s vehicle. Anderson was buckled in with a seat belt.  According to the probable cause affidavit, Coy locked his cruiser but left it running with the air conditioning on due to excessive heat. 

Anderson’s father, Scott Anderson, said they stopped at the property to look at wheels on a Jeep. The elder Anderson said they had been at the property for approximately 10 minutes attempting to get a hold of a third party. Scott said his son had been “confused” that day and had wandered around near their woods the previous night. 

While conducting more interviews, Deputy Coy was advised that his patrol cruiser had left the scene. 

Deputy Coy was advised by Scott Anderson that he (James) shouldn’t go far. Coy got into Scott Anderson’s vehicle in an attempt to locate James Anderson. They traveled south on State Road 45 to Hobbieville Road. Coy attempted to contact James over the radio and instructed him to stop the vehicle. When they did not locate James or the cruiser, Coy requested Scott return him to the scene. 

While en route to the scene, dispatch advised of a wreck on State Road 45 and Strauser Road. Scott volunteered to drive Deputy Coy to the new scene. 

James was not at the scene, nor was he located near the scene. The cruiser; however, was still running and had front end damage. A hat, which had been worn by James, was located on the front floorboard of the cruiser. A pair of sandals, worn by James, were found in the rear floorboard of the vehicle. 

Anderson is undergoing medical treatment at this time. A warrant has been issued and will be served when he is medically cleared to be released to jail. 

Anderson is being charged with: 

• Escape, a Level 5 Felony

• Auto Theft, a Level 6 Felony

• Criminal Mischief, a Class B Misdemeanor

• Leaving the Scene of an Accident, a Class B Misdemeanor