Car thief sentenced to a year in jail

The man accused of stealing a car from the parking lot of Elmer’s County Market in Escanaba in November has been sentenced to jail time.

Charles Johnston, 20, of Gladstone was given two years probation and 12 months of jail time with credit for 92 days already served. The Delta County Circuit Court also revoked Johnston’s driver’s license, given his ‘habitual offender — second offense’ status.

Johnston’s sentence stems from multiple criminal counts including unlawful driving away, fourth-degree fleeing and eluding and operating while intoxicated. A Gladstone Public Safety officer arrested Johnston after he bailed out of the stolen vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.