Atlantic Beach homeowner uses OnStar to foil suspected car, homework thief

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man was arrested after police say he stole a teenager’s homework from an unlocked Subaru — right before he stole a truck from the same residence.

Skylar Lake, 23, was arrested near the InTown Suites on St. Johns Bluff Road after a man matching his description was seen pulling on door handles in the parking lot.

Lake is charged with burglary, auto theft and criminal mischief.

Lake is accusing of stealing a 2015 Chevy Silverado in Atlantic Beach after he stole a backpack containing the homework.

The police report said the homeowner left his car keys in the ignition with his garage door unlocked. When the victim’s son left at 6:30 a.m. to go to school, he noticed his father’s truck — and his backpack — were both missing.

The victim called OnStar for a vehicle location, and the car was located  InTown Suites on St. Johns Bluff Road. JSO then moved to secure the truck.

Lake was caught after a brief chase from the parking lot of the InTown Suites. According to the police report, Lake was attempting to restart the truck, which would not turn on after it was reported stolen by the victim.

The hotel’s maintenance man had also called the police after noticing the truck’s “theft” light illuminated.

During the chase, Lake allegedly dumped the backpack. The owners manual to the Chevy Silverado was found in the backpack.

WJAX