Homeless Man Charged With Stealing Idling Car

HINGHAM, MA — A homeless man attempted to steal a car that was left running by an employee at the 99 Restaurant on Lincoln Street, police said.

John D. Hastings, 59, formerly of Hingham was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with motor vehicle larceny and operating with a suspended license (subsequent offense), according to the Hingham Police Department.

At about 1:36 a.m. on Mach 18, an employee at the restaurant told police that his Ford Fusion went missing. He said that 15 minutes earlier, he turned it on so his vehicle would be warm when he left. A video showed a man in an orange jacket walking towards the car before it was driven out of the lot.

Officers at the scene saw the vehicle drive from Beal Street to Lincoln Street before making a U-Turn towards Weymouth. An officer caught up with the Fusion and pulled the driver, identified as Hastings, over near the Weymouth Boat Ramp on River Street.

Hastings allegedly told police that he was staying in a tent in Bare Cove Park, ran out of propane, and was worried that he could die from the low temperatures.

Hastings was treated at the hospital prior to his police booking. He was due in Hingham District Court March 19.

Image: File Photo