The victim told deputies he left his car running after buying snacks because he ‘did not want the chocolate to melt’

A Florida man was arrested and charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle parked outside the job he had just applied for.

On Friday, Jacob Thompson, 23, entered the Pilot Travel Center in Bartow, asking to speak to a manager about a possible job. Employees told Thompson that no one was available to speak to him at the moment and requested that he come back on Monday.

Approximately 15 minutes after Thompson left the store, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a carjacking report from the location, as stated in a news release. Deputies reported that Thompson allegedly took a white 2022 Cadillac XT4 SUV from the parking area and almost struck the owner while driving away.

The victim told deputies he had gone into the store to buy snacks during a road trip and left the car running because he “did not want the chocolate to melt.”

The victim said he thought he had locked the car, but when he returned, he saw the suspect inside the vehicle. The victim pleaded with the suspect not to take his car, but the suspect allegedly tried to hit him as he fled, which the victim narrowly avoided, as reported by the Miami Herald.

Thanks to the car’s OnStar technology, deputies tracked it. They pursued Thompson near Interstate 4, where he reached speeds of up to 100 mph in the emergency lane.

About 20 minutes later, OnStar turned off the vehicle’s engine. Thompson quickly lost control, and the car hit a guard rail near Davenport, flipping “multiple times” and landing upside down, according to the affidavit.

Though slightly injured, Thompson got out and started to run but was quickly arrested. He faces 12 charges, including grand theft auto and resisting arrest.