TAFT — A 19-year-old car thief is behind bars after being chased down and caught by the man he tried to steal a car from on Saturday morning in Taft. Cody Bishop, of Taft, was booked into the Kern County jail for grand theft of a vehicle and possession of burglary tools.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at around 10:30 a.m. on December 20, when Bishop tried to commandeer a vehicle in the 400 block of Philippine Street in Taft Heights.
The 49-year-old victim had exited his vehicle to close a gate when Bishop jumped in and tried to drive away. “That’s when the victim stood behind his car and blocked the suspect’s exit,” said Sheriff’s spokesperson Ray Pruitt. “The suspect then jumped from the car and ran off on foot with the victim, his son and two of his neighbors giving chase.”
Bishop finally gave up and stopped running a short time later and surrendered to the his pursuers, who held him until deputies arrived and took him into custody.”While searching the suspect, deputies discovered a screwdriver and a black glove in his possession,” Pruitt said. “Both which are common tools used for stealing vehicles.”
Read more:
Midway Driller: Would-be car thief runs into trouble
