Man Arrested at Worst Place to Bring a Stolen Car

It's probably one of the worst places in Sacramento County to bring a stolen car, especially if you're on parole and have a warrant out for your arrest.

Sacramento County Probation Department spokeswoman Kerri Aiello said 36-year-old Lawrence Merriweather was arrested Wednesday when he drove a friend to a probation appointment at the department's Florin-Perkins Road office, just west of Rosemont.

The car Merriweather allegedly used was stolen, and its license plate was picked up by an automated camera at the probation department's office. The camera scans passing vehicles, looking for license plates from cars that have been reported stolen.

"The 2011 Nissan was reported stolen by a car rental agency," Aiello said in an email.

This was the 162nd stolen car found by one of the , Aiello said. Two of the cameras are mounted on department vehicles.

Merriweather is currently being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail on an outstanding warrant for allegedly failing to appear for court, driving with a suspended license and driving without insurance or registration. He's also being charged with violating his parole and one felony charge of buying or receiving stolen property. He's not eligible for bail, and is due in court Friday afternoon.