Alleged ‘test drive’ thief left SSN/CO

[PeteSC]

Alleged ‘test drive’ thief left SSN


Wednesday, October 12, 2005

By KRISTEN SENZ

The Daily Sentinel


A Grand Junction man who allegedly stole a motorcycle after taking it for a test drive gave the owner his correct Social Security number before taking off with the bike, according to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department.

Jesse Hendricks, 25, was arrested Monday near 539 Road 32½ after he allegedly tried to run from two officers, but tripped over a curb and fell on his back, according to an arrest affidavit.

He was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine after his arrest.

On Sept. 26, Wayne McFetridge reported that someone had stolen his motorcycle from his residence on Elkhart Lane, according to the arrest affidavit.

McFetridge reportedly told officers that a man called him and asked to take the motorcycle for a test drive, which he said was fine.

The suspect, whom investigators later identified as Hendricks, was gone a short time with the bike and then returned to ask if he could take his wife for a drive over the Colorado National Monument, which McFetridge said was also fine, according to the affidavit.

McFetridge hasn’t seen his motorcycle since.

Hendricks reportedly gave McFetridge the fake name “Jesse James” before he left for the “test drive,” but he also gave his correct Social Security number, which enabled investigators to track him down, according to the affidavit.

After his arrest, Hendricks told investigators he had planned to return the motorcycle, but had gotten a flat tire. When he later went to return it, the motorcycle wasn’t where he left it, he told investigators.

McFetridge corroborated the story, explaining that Hendricks had called him from Palisade the morning after he took the bike to say he had a flat, the affidavit said.

Hendricks is being held in Mesa County Jail on suspicion for alleged possession of methamphetamine, aggravated motor vehicle theft and being a fugitive out of Moffet County.

There have been other reports in Mesa County of Hendricks calling people with motorcycles for sale and asking to take a test drive, according to the Sheriff’s Department.