The actual owner of the car told police his car broke down in the BJ's Wholesale Club parking lot around Nov. 12. He returned to the car several times throughout the week to make repairs, but when he returned Nov. 18 his car was nowhere to be found, the police report said.
Detective Sean Lewis learned the missing car had been towed to a nearby scrap yard and crushed. Lewis checked local metal recycling centers and found the car was well beyond recognition or repair.
John Simmons, 24, allegedly contacted the tow company acting as the car's owner and had it removed, according to police.
Police did not say why Simmons pretended to own the car and had it destroyed.
Simmons reportedly turned himself into police and was charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony. He was released without bail and is scheduled to return to court at 6 p.m. Jan. 8.
Police say the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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