Charlotte man said sheriff's office told him to steal car

A Punta Gorda man who police said took his vehicle to a North Fort Myers tire shop for an oil change ended up stealing another vehicle from the shop, taking his two young children with him and later telling deputies that he was ordered the steal it by another law enforcement agency.

Michael McMikel, 32, was released on bond Wednesday after he was charged with felony vehicle theft.

A report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office said McMikel had brought his 2005 KIA Sedona van to Custom Tire & Auto on Pine Island Road and asked for an oil change.

As McMikel left the business he was seen getting into a 2006 Nissan Murano owned by another customer that was already running and drove off. The car's owner said that McMikel had two young children with him in the vehicle when he drove off.

Deputies saw McMikel pull the Murano into J. Colin English Elementary School on Pine Island Road and were able to arrest him.

McMikel told deputies that he only wanted to talk to the Drug Enforcement Agency. He also told them that he was told by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office to drive here and steal the vehicle.

McMikel will be back in court Oct. 16.

A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Children and Families said a child protection investigation has been opened into the family.

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