GTA in real life: Beggar allegedly tried to steal car and kidnap woman

A panhandler was thrown out of a Maricopa gas station Wednesday night when he turned his encounter with police into a real-life version of Grand Theft Auto, racking up 14 criminal charges.

Maricopa Police report that the panhandler attempted to evade justice by stealing a truck and taking its occupants hostage.

Warren A. Elder, 25, is charged with auto theft, kidnapping, endangerment, false imprisonment, making false statements, trespassing and obstructing public order. Police also charged him with five counts of criminal nuisance and two counts of disturbing the peace.

Elder was “begging” at Circle K, 18141 N. John Wayne Parkway, when employees asked him to leave, according to a probable cause statement obtained by InMaricopa. He refused and the police came to remove him from the property.

At the same time, MPD conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at the gas station. Officers examined the pickup truck driver, who was stopped for an unknown reason, outside the vehicle. The driver's door had been left open and the passenger was still in her seat.

Elder allegedly jumped into the driver's seat of the truck and grabbed the steering wheel and gear shift. Officers pulled him out, handcuffed him and loaded him into the back of a patrol car.

Both the driver of the pickup truck and his passenger were “visibly shaken” by the incident, according to the police report. The passenger said Elder attempted to change gears and turn onto John Wayne Parkway.

When Elder was questioned by police about his rights, he gave a false name.

Elder was booked into the Pinal County Jail on seven felonies and seven misdemeanors. He faces a potential sentence of 72 years and nine months in prison if found guilty on all counts.