*UPDATE* The suspect in this investigation was safely taken into custody in New Jersey.
READING — Chief David Clark reports that the Reading Police Department is investigating a vehicle theft reported at a Main Street gas station Saturday evening.
At 6:33 p.m., Reading Police received a 911 call reporting that a motor vehicle had been stolen from a customer pumping gas at the Shell at 110 Main St.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was pumping gas on the passenger side of their black 2022 Range Rover Sport when the suspect pulled up and parked next to another pump in a blue Chevrolet Malibu previously reported stolen out of Maine.
The suspect abandoned the Malibu, hopped into the Range Rover’s driver’s seat, and did a U-turn in the gas station parking lot. The suspect struck and partially ran over the victim while driving away.
The victim, a 49-year-old Reading man, held onto the mirror of his vehicle as the suspect fled the gas station parking lot. He was dragged by the fleeing vehicle for approximately 20 feet. The victim was transported to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center with unknown injuries.
The Range Rover has Massachusetts plates, 4JGX91. Police believe the vehicle fled Massachusetts and may be in Connecticut or New York.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s, wearing a maroon-colored T-shirt, and described as having a scruffy five o’clock shadow, and medium-length brown hair.
The Malibu stolen out of Maine was towed from the scene by Reading Police for processing. Police are also working to secure surveillance video.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or may have information to share with investigators is asked to call the Reading Police Department’s nonemergency line at 781-944-1212.
