WILLCOX, AZ – A recently released prisoner, who stole a semi-truck carrying over $1 million worth of new Corvettes from an Arizona truck stop, claimed he only took the truck for a ride home, according to authorities on Thursday.
Isaiah Walker, a 23-year-old resident of Lawton, Oklahoma, allegedly assaulted and robbed a truck driver at the Loves Truck Stop in Willcox, near Interstate 10, as per the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office. Walker reportedly engaged the victim in a conversation about his truckload, creating an atmosphere of trust before he forcefully ejected the victim from the cab.
Walker is said to have driven off in the stolen semi, which was transporting 10 Chevrolet C8 Corvettes, valued at over $1.25 million.
A deputy spotted the stolen truck and attempted to intercept it. However, the driver, allegedly Walker, refused to stop, driving recklessly and causing other vehicles to veer off the road. The stolen truck eventually halted, leading to Walker’s apprehension.
Walker, according to the sheriff’s office, confessed to stealing the vehicle, emphasizing that the Corvettes were not his target, but he needed a vehicle to get home post his prison release.
Walker was subsequently detained in the Cochise County Jail on multiple felony charges, including robbery, 11 counts of theft of means of transportation, and felony theft.
The semi-truck, undamaged during the incident, was returned to the original driver to continue his delivery, stated Willcox Police Chief Dale Hadfield. He praised the deputy and officer for their restraint and patience in resolving the serious crime peacefully and preventing damage to others’ property.