WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Buffalo man was arrested after stealing a car because he needed a ride home from court.
According to West Seneca Police, Lawrence T. Zielinski was charged with multiple crimes after he allegedly stole the car on Tuesday. He was seen driving on Union Road without headlights. Zielinski then told an officer he did not have a driver's license and lied to officers about his name and date of birth.
Police learned the car was stolen from a Rite Aid parking lot less than a mile away.
Zielinski was arrested and the owner of the car eventually received the car back. He later told officers that he just left West Seenca Court where he was answering charges on a separate case. He saw the car running in the Rite Air lot and said he "was just trying to get home, so I took it."
He was charged with fourth-degree Grand Larceny of a Vehicle, Criminal Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Unauthorized Used of a Motor Vehicle, False Personation, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and several other traffic infractions.
West Seneca Police noted that because of the bail reforms enacted by New York State, he was released on an appearance ticket. Wielinski is due back in court next Wednesday.