Utah man charged with vehicle theft in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – One man is facing charges after police say he is accused of stealing a truck in Bowling Green on Monday.

According to a uniform citation, the Bowling Green Police Department responded around 3:49 p.m. for a report of a stolen vehicle at 508 Gordon Ave.

Police say the caller stated a man had stolen a vehicle while it was parked in front of a Shell gas station.

Authorities say in footage provided by Shell, they saw a man in a grey jacket, red shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.

Police say the vehicle was able to be tracked and was located, leading to a traffic stop on Girkin Boiling Springs Road.

The driver, identified as George Hatfield, 47, of Syracuse, Utah, was arrested. Police say his clothing matched what was seen in the surveillance video.

While at the Warren County Regional Jail, police say Hatfield stated he “had been stuck in Bowling Green for four days and was not able to leave.” Authorities say he stated he “saw the truck parked with its windows rolled down and the keys in the ignition.”

Police say Hatfield also stated he had “taken the vehicle but was not sure where he was going to go.”

In addition, Hatfield stated he had thrown a phone he had found in the vehicle out the window.

Hatfield faces charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition auto between $10,000 and $1,000,000, tampering with physical evidence and theft by unlawful taking or disposition all others between $500 and $1,000.