A Madisonville man is facing felony charges after police say he drove off in a stolen vehicle and later claimed it was all a misunderstanding.
Madisonville Police say 58-year-old James Hale was taken into custody shortly before 10:30 Friday morning on West Noel Avenue in Madisonville.
According to the arrest report, witnesses reported seeing a man in blue jean overalls drive away in the stolen vehicle. When officers intercepted Hale, they say he insisted the car belonged to him and his wife, and told officers he was returning it to a relative.
Police say Hale only backed down and claimed it was a mistake after officers showed him proof of the actual owner’s insurance policy.
Hale was charged with theft by unlawful taking of an automobile valued over $10,000.
