Man gets nude after attempt to steal car fails

ZANESVILLE - In the middle of Maple Avenue, Joseph Baker pulled a man out of the driver's seat of his car, punched him in the head and got into the car, intending to drive away.

But he couldn't figure out how to start the car.

Then he couldn't figure out how to get out of the car.

So he kicked out the driver's side window and crawled back into the middle of the road, where he took his clothes off and walked south on Maple Avenue until he was arrested by Zanesville police officers, Assistant Muskingum County John Litle said in court.

Baker, 35, of Nashport, pleaded guilty Monday in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court to two counts of robbery, one as a second-degree felony and one as a third-degree felony. 

The entire incident, which happened on July 29, occurred in front of a fire truck, which was sitting behind the car that Baker attempted to drive, and several firefighters witnessed Baker hitting the driver and pulling him out of the car, Litle said.

Earlier, Baker had attempted to steal another vehicle and punched the driver through her open window, but she drove away, Litle said. 

Witnesses said Baker appeared to be extremely impaired by some type of narcotic and Baker admitted to smoking heroin or some type of drug, Litle said.

Baker's sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.

ksnyder2@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @KL_Snyder