Man Charged After Cutting Fence to Steal Car From Impound Lot

A Dodge Charger was stolen from the Martin County Sheriff's Office impound lot after someone cut through the facility's fence overnight. Detectives investigating the break-in traced a vehicle used during the theft back to a local company operating in the area.

Working with the West Palm Beach Police Department, Martin County detectives contacted the owners of the company connected to the vehicle. The owners cooperated with investigators and reviewed their own security footage, identifying one of their employees, identified as Allen, as a person of interest in the case.

Detectives located Allen and took him into custody on an outstanding warrant for fleeing and eluding. He was then brought in for questioning regarding the impound lot break-in and the missing Charger.

During the interview, Allen admitted to cutting the fence surrounding the impound lot and driving the Charger away. He told detectives he was frustrated that the vehicle had remained impounded and wanted to retrieve personal belongings from inside, including his late mother's ashes.

Following the confession, Allen was charged with seven felonies in connection with the break-in and theft. Investigators noted that the Charger was no longer in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Allen also told detectives the vehicle had since been repossessed. A repossession company later confirmed to investigators that the Charger had been voluntarily surrendered through the lienholder, separate from the original impound.

The case was investigated by the Martin County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the West Palm Beach Police Department. Allen faces seven felony charges stemming from the impound lot break-in and vehicle theft.