A 21-year-old Florida man, Malik Patterson, stole a luxury Rolls-Royce from the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and crashed it into a Checkers fast-food restaurant, according to WTVJ-TV News.
The theft occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, but police swiftly spotted and apprehended Patterson.
Fort Lauderdale police did not pursue the stolen white Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but Patterson allegedly lost control and crashed it into a Checkers restaurant on Broward Boulevard.
Despite the restaurant being open, no one was injured in the incident, police reported.
“I’m definitely not shocked,” the restaurant owner, who asked not to be identified, told WTVJ. “It is a Rolls-Royce and people like to steal things and do a little bit of a joy ride.
“But this joy ride right here, not too fun for this person ’cause he’s locked up and the car’s totaled,” the owner said. “What are you gonna do?”
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is typically priced between $400,000 and $500,000 with accessories.
Fort Lauderdale police apprehended Patterson near the wreck.
He is being held at the Broward County Jail on grand theft auto charges with a $5,000 bond and is awaiting a court appearance.
Patterson has outstanding warrants in Florida and California, the police said.
Police have not released details about the car’s theft from the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort parking lot.
