FW: News Release - Vela

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 05/12/2014 at approximately 4:16 p.m., officers of the Johnson City Police Department were dispatched to a stolen vehicle at 180 Marketplace Blvd (Lowe’s). The complainant, Jason Vela, told officers someone hadstolen his vehicle from the parking lot of Old Navy. The vehicle Mr. Vela was reporting as being stolen matched the description of a vehicle that was involved in a hit and run wreck on Interstate 26. The wreck occurred approximately 20 minutes before thecomplainant called in to report his vehicle stolen.

At approximately 5:15 p.m., a caller to 911 reported a suspicious vehicle at the rear parking lot of Blankenship Pharmacy (222 E Watauga Ave). Upon arrival, it was discovered thatthe suspicious vehicle was the hit and run vehicle and the vehicle reported stolen by complainant. After transporting the complainant to Blankenship Pharmacy, Mr. Vela finally admitted to driving the vehicle and leaving the scene of the accident when he realized he had parked the vehicle underneath a video surveillance camera.

Jason E. Vela, 42years of age,of 750 Hairetown Rd., Jonesborough, TN 37659 was charged with Filing a False Report and transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he will be held on a $4,000 bond. An arraignment is set for 05/13/2014 at 1:30 p.m. in Washington County Session Court.