POMPANO BEACH, FL — A Pompano Beach man was arrested after allegedly stealing a Lyft vehicle during a gas stop and causing a crash in a bizarre grand theft auto incident.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Declan Patrick Murphy requested a Lyft ride on March 4 from a luxury estate at 1085 Hillsboro Mile in Hillsboro Beach. The driver, Miguel Molina, picked him up for a $500 trip to Jacksonville.
The situation escalated at a gas station in West Palm Beach. While Molina pre-paid for gas, Murphy allegedly jumped into the driver’s seat of Molina’s 2017 gray Honda CR-V. When Molina tried to stop him by striking the window, Murphy accelerated, causing Molina to fall.
Molina’s stepson, who had been called to meet them, chased the stolen vehicle while alerting 911. The pursuit ended about two miles away at Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. and Tamarind Avenue, where Murphy collided with another car and fled on foot. He was tackled by Molina’s stepson and detained by responding officers.
Murphy invoked his right to remain silent following his arrest and was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail. The driver of the vehicle Murphy struck was not seriously injured.
This incident highlights the dangers of vehicle theft and road confrontations, even in high-end areas like Hillsboro Mile.
