Missing teenager, man found with stolen truck
Source: Florida Times-Union (Original Article)
A keen-eyed Texas motorist led police Saturday to a missing Putnam County teen, her boyfriend and a pickup truck stolen from a man slain in Melrose.
Morgan Amanda Leppert, 15, and Toby Lee Lowry, 22, were taken into custody about 4:30 p.m. by police in El Paso. They were traveling with a hitchhiker, authorities said.
The trio were panhandling off Interstate 10 when a motorist recognized Leppert from a nationwide missing child Amber Alert and called police, said Maj. Keith Riddick of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. A silver 2003 Toyota Tacoma stolen from James Thomas Stewart, 66, of Melrose, was found nearby, Riddick said.
Stewart was found dead Thursday morning at his Cherry Laurel Drive home after not being heard from in several days. Authorities haven’t said how he died.
Investigators learned that Stewart’s telephone number was found on a cell phone belonging to Leppert, who had been reported missing by her mother on April 22. The missing persons report indicated she was believed to be with Lowry.
After finding Stewart, police learned his truck was missing. In the Amber Alert issued Thursday, Leppert and Lowry were listed possibly in it.
Riddick said Lowry will be held on warrants charging him with grand theft of the truck and interference with child custody. Panhandling charges are pending.
A Putnam state attorney investigator is en route to interview Leppert and Lowry, as will Putnam detectives investigating Stewart’s slaying.
jim.schoettler@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4385
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