A Florida man’s desperate attempt to “charge up” his electric vehicle at the popular Harry and the Natives restaurant in Hobe Sound has landed him with criminal charges of a different kind. Evan Scott Bobal, 23, was arrested Thursday on charges of burglary and attempted theft following a bizarre incident last month.
The unusual event unfolded in the middle of the night when, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Bobal drove his electric car through the closed restaurant.
Surveillance video captured the suspect maneuvering his vehicle through the dining area, moving tables aside, and attempting to plug his car into an outlet at the bar. Reports indicate he even unplugged one of the kitchen’s refrigerators to make way for his unauthorized power grab.
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While Bobal reportedly managed to plug in his charger, he never successfully charged his vehicle, nor did he make a clean getaway.
He eventually drove away, but not before leaving behind his serialized Tesla charger – a piece of evidence that, combined with the restaurant’s comprehensive surveillance footage, quickly led detectives to identify him.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office detectives, working in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the South Florida Task Force, secured a warrant for Bobal’s arrest, which was served yesterday. His bond has been set at $12,500.
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The Martin County Sheriff’s Office extended its appreciation for the “outstanding teamwork” that brought this “unusual case to a close.” They also offered a pointed reminder to the public: “restaurants are for dining, not docking your vehicle.”
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