Douglas Man Arrested for Vehicle Theft from VFW Parking Lot and DUI

Photo byCCSO

Earlier this month, officers from the Douglas Police Department arrested a local man for allegedly stealing a vehicle from the VFW parking lot while intoxicated.

According to a Douglas Police Department incident report, officers responded to the VFW on McDonald Road at approximately 11:07 p.m. on July 12 following reports of a fight. A 54-year-old man informed officers that Dustin McClellan, 37, who was intoxicated, had taken his vehicle during an altercation at the location.

The victim showed the officer his key fob and stated that his 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee was left running in the parking lot when McClellan entered the driver's seat and drove away without permission. The victim described McClellan as "very intoxicated."

While officers were at the scene, an employee reported that McClellan had also left without paying his tab but had left his debit card behind, allowing her to close out the tab.

The victim informed officers that McClellan resided near chicken houses on Highway 158 West. Deputies from the Coffee County Sheriff's Office and troopers from the Georgia State Patrol were dispatched to the location.

Shortly afterward, a corporal from the department contacted the sergeant on scene, informing her that she had spotted the vehicle traveling at high speed on West Baker Highway, heading towards Georgia Highway 158 West.

The sergeant was subsequently notified by 911 dispatchers that McClellan and the vehicle had been located at his residence.

According to the report, the sergeant proceeded to McClellan's address where she met with several deputies and a Georgia State Patrol trooper. McClellan was found at the residence, visibly intoxicated and laughing. Despite claiming he had been home all night and asleep, McClellan was wearing a plastic or paper bracelet typically issued by the VFW.

The trooper informed the sergeant that he had seen McClellan at the door upon arrival and observed him quickly retreat back into the house, fully clothed. The stolen vehicle was parked in front of the residence.

Consequently, McClellan was charged with Theft by Taking and DUI.