Guy caught more than 300 miles away in stolen car after breaking into local shop

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Surveillance video shows an audacious crime caught on camera from every angle.

A crook cased a car shop, broke in and searched for keys inside, and then stole a car parked outside.

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The thief arrived by bike and left by car. Surveillance video shows a man breaking into a Tire Kingdom in Fernandina Beach late Sunday night.

The crook used some kind of object to smash a window. Once he was in, he walked straight to the counter and took four sets of car keys.

Minutes later, he got into a Nissan Altima and drove through a fence.

For about three days he was on the run, until Thursday. Deputies said they got word he was caught more than 300 miles away. The Nassau County Sheriff said the man was arrested in West Palm Beach driving that same stolen car.

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‘It’s amazing how he got caught so far away,” said Linda Gabbard, a customer.

She said she was happy she still has her Jeep, after she had some work done Thursday.

“Could’ve been anybody’s car,” said Gabbard.

While this customer hopes this never happens again, she said this proves it’s a good idea to have a second set of keys.

“If you only have one set of keys, then you’re out,” she said.

Deputies said the man is from the West Palm Beach area. They are still working to find out why he was in Nassau County.

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Cox Media Group