Man arrested in stolen car

A 24-year-old High Ridge, Missouri man was arrested in Key Largo Wednesday night in his ex-girlfriend’s car he stole on Sunday.

Austin James Umfleet was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license.

The Sheriff’s Office received information at 5:46 p.m. that a silver, Volkswagen Jetta with Missouri tags may be in the Florida Keys. Upper Keys Deputy Edward Swogger spotted the car at the Mobile® gas station at Mile Marker 92. Deputy Swogger confirmed via the license plates that the car was reported stolen out of Missouri. Deputy Cody Jackson also arrived on scene and they detained the driver, identified as Umfleet. There were no passengers in the car.

Umfleet stated the car belongs to his girlfriend who lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Umfleet stated they had been arguing. Umfleet stated he left with her car at 4 p.m. Sunday and drove to Georgia where a family member lives and then continued south toward Key West.

Deputy Swogger then spoke to the victim on the phone. She described Umfleet as her ex-boyfriend who arrived at her residence Sunday after being released from jail. She stated Umfleet took her car keys and then left in her car without her permission.

Umfleet was taken to jail.