On January 27, 2023, the LCSO Communications Division received a report of a stolen vehicle from the convenience store located at 8051 NW 115th Street in Chiefland. The victim reported that their 2013 Nissan vehicle had just been stolen after the victim went inside the convenience store. The victim had followed the stolen car in another vehicle but lost the thief north of Chiefland.
LCSO Deputies and Detectives responded to the scene where they collected video evidence and witness statements. According to witnesses, the car thief had been hanging around the store for a while and was captured on store surveillance video.
LCSO Detention Center personnel were able to use the video to identify the suspect as Michael Hannigan (1-6-83). Hannigan had been booked into the Levy County Detention Center six previous times. Hannigan was most recently released from the Detention Center on January 4, 2023.
A short time later, a concerned citizen reported to LCSO that Hannigan had been seen at another convenience store located at SR 345 and NW 60th Street. Deputies John Finkell and Matt King located and detained Hannigan at the store. Hannigan admitted being at the crime scene but denied stealing the vehicle.
A short time later, Deputy Bill Godwin located the abandoned stolen vehicle approximately 1.5 miles from where Hannigan was taken into custody. The stolen vehicle was processed by LCSO crime scene personnel. Several items of personal property had been stolen from the vehicle but were not recovered.
Hannigan was arrested and booked into the Detention Center (for the seventh time) on charges of Grand Theft Auto and Petit Theft. He remains in custody with his bond set at $27,500.00.
Sheriff McCallum expressed his appreciation to the witnesses who assisted in the quick resolution of this case. He encouraged everyone to take the extra seconds necessary to secure your vehicles and belongings even when you leave them unattended for only a short time.