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Man in custody for stealing UDC Police Cruiser

According to the police report, the car was left unlocked with the keys inside.

WASHINGTON — Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested the man accused of stealing a University of District of Columbia Police cruiser.

On Wednesday, 50-year-old Donald Gladden was taken into custody and charged with Theft I and Theft from Motor Vehicle. 

On Nov. 10, law enforcement received a call at 3:45 a.m. that a police cruiser belonging to the University of the District of Columbia had been taken from the Van Ness campus.

According to the police report, the car was left unlocked with the keys inside, which is how Gladden was allegedly able to gain access. The stolen 2020 Ford Explorer was recovered a few hours later, perfectly parallel parked along North Capitol Street in Northwest. 

Surveillance video showed Gladden taking the cruiser for a casual stroll through the store, picking up some Bounty quicker picker-upper for the house. 

Anyone with information may contact detectives at (202) 727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411. 

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