May 13, 2008 11:47 pm US/Pacific
Suspected Car Thief Left Oil Trail To Front Door
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
A suspected car thief made an unusual blunder that led police directly to his door. Police say Ron Prasad left a fresh trail of engine fluid from a stolen and chopped car back to his driveway.
Two police officers found a stolen car abandoned in a Sacramento alley, still dripping from its engine. Officer Sang Koo Park of the Sacramento Police and his partner saw that the oil left a trail, so they followed it.
"This particular fluid trail was very discernable," said Officer Park. "It was fresh, it was uniform, you could have taken a highlighter and highlighted the trail back to his house. It was that noticeable."
Police arrested Prasad on theft charges. Based on other items found in the suspect's house, Officer Park said it appeared he had stolen other cars as well. Prasad allegedly had car parts and personal items that were in the stolen car.
Prasad said he did nothing wrong. "I don't steal cars," he said.
The car was owned by Beetzabethl Padilla, who said it was stolen when she visited her mother in Padilla's neighborhood. "It was my present for Mother's Day three years ago," she said.
It's a huge loss for the Padilla family, but it could be the end of the line for Prasad if he is convicted.
"This is the kind of guy that doesn't think before he does," said Officer Park.
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