Logan man pleads guilty to joyriding and theft

Alexander Katz, 19, arrested June 16 after he and a teenage girl stole a car in Providence. 

LOGAN — A 19-year-old Logan man has pleaded guilty to felony joyriding after he and his teenage girlfriend attempted to steal a car in Providence.

Alexander Katz appeared in 1st District Court Tuesday morning accepting a plea from prosecutors. Under the terms, he pleaded guilty to joyriding and unlawful possession of a credit card, both third-degree felonies, and theft, a class B misdemeanor.

Police said Katz and his girlfriend tried to steal a car in June, but didn’t get very far because he had trouble driving a manual transmission.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, state attorney Aaron Jossie said the victim called police after finding his car was missing. The man actually drove around the neighborhood and found the vehicle being driven by Katz.

Police said Katz and the teen girl ditched the car in the Macey’s parking lot, went across the street to Maverik and called for a taxi. The girl was caught immediately, and Katz was found several hours later because he left his information with the taxi company.

Jossie said Katz also left a backpack inside the stolen vehicle that contained stolen credit cards and other items.

Defense attorney Shannon Demler said Katz suffers from mental disabilities. He has been checked into Quality Youth Services, a mental health therapy group that offers psychotherapy and counseling services.

Judge Brian Cannell sentenced Katz to 16-days in jail, giving him credit for the 16-days he already served after being arrested. He also ordered him to complete counseling and have no other violations.

<hr /> <p style=”text-align: center;”>[email protected]

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!