NORFOLK, Va. — A man will spend over a year in prison for stealing a car and running from Norfolk police last year.
Marquise Thomas, 21, pleaded guilty to the crime on Monday and was sentenced the same day.
On Aug. 8, 2023, a 2012 Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen in Hampton. The next day a Norfolk police officer received an alert about that car being seen near the intersection of East Princess Anne Road and Monticello Avenue.
When officers tried to stop the driver, later identified as Thomas, he fled the scene and sped through heavy traffic. Police did not continue the pursuit at the time.
Shortly after, other officers saw Thomas near East Brambleton Avenue. Thomas had to stop at a Light Rail crossing at Bute Street, and police were able to stop him there.
According to police, the Hyundai had its steering column and ignition tampered with in a way similar to one that had gone viral due to the maker's lack of an engine immobilizer.
On Monday, the presiding judge accepted this plea and agreed to a sentence of one year and three months in prison. The judge suspended another three years and nine months on the condition that Thomas complete two years of supervised probation and that Thomas remain on good behavior after he is released.
