A Pompano Beach man accused of taking his Lyft driver’s car while the driver was inside a West Palm Beach gas station has been ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution. Judge Sarah Willis ordered 27-year-old Delcan P. Murphy to make the payment by Monday, September 28.
A Gas Stop Goes Sideways
According to court documents cited by WPBF 25 News, the driver picked up Murphy in Deerfield Beach on March 4 for a ride to Jacksonville. During the trip, the driver stopped at a Marathon gas station at 1840 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue in West Palm Beach to prepay for fuel, leaving Murphy in the car.
The police report, as described by WPBF, says Murphy got out of the back seat, moved into the driver’s seat and drove away. The driver tried to stop him, the report says, and a family member soon came to the gas station to pick the driver up.
Crash, Chase and a Tackle
The police report says the car later struck the rear of another vehicle at Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue. Murphy then ran from the crash on foot.
The driver’s family member was following Murphy and speaking with 911 dispatch, according to the report, and caught up with him and tackled him. West Palm Beach police took Murphy into custody at the scene, the report says.
Not Guilty Plea, Restitution Deadline Ahead
Murphy has pleaded not guilty to grand theft automobile with damage over $1,000. His plea conference is scheduled for Monday, September 28, the same day the restitution payment is due, in a West Palm Beach courtroom.
What the Restitution Order Establishes
Florida Statutes section 775.089 says restitution may be monetary or nonmonetary, according to the Florida Senate. That general provision does not establish whether Murphy’s order was tied to a finding of guilt, so the order alone does not resolve the status of his pending charge…