Minneapolis Man Accused Of Stealing His Deceased Grandma's Car

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 27-year-old Minneapolis man is accused of stealing his deceased grandmother's vehicle last fall.

According to the Dakota County Attorney's Office, Joseph Francis Lukas faces one felony charge of receiving stolen property in connection to the Oct. 19, 2015 incident.

According to the criminal complaint, Lukas needed a vehicle and a cousin suggested he just take his grandmother's vehicle because it was "just sitting there", so he did.

His grandmother had passed away a few months prior.

Lukas did not have permission to take the vehicle, however, and knew that it was going to be reported stolen, according to the complaint.

Lukas was arrested on Oct. 19, 2015 when a police officer discovered the car in an Eagan parking lot, ran the plates and determined the car was registered as a stolen motor vehicle. When the car pulled out of the parking lot, the officer conducted a felony stop.

Lukas, who was the passenger, allegedly let the other occupant drive when he saw the police because he didn't have license. He also told the officer that he knew people were looking for the vehicle, but that it wasn't stolen because it belonged to his grandmother. He said he asked his family to give him 24 hours to return the vehicle, according to the complaint.

The value of the vehicle is approximately $3,500.

If convicted, Lukas faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.