Subject Arrested After Falling Asleep in Stolen Vehicle

On 03-20-18, at just before 5:30 AM, Sonora Police Department officers responded to the area of South Arbona Circle for a report of a vehicle parked on the embankment with the driver passed out inside.  Through their investigation, officers discovered that Noel Pedro Figueroa, age 20 of Sonora, had entered the vehicle through an unlocked door, released the emergency brake, and attempted to put the vehicle in reverse.  The vehicle rolled down the hill backwards and came to rest on the embankment at the base of the road.  Figueroa promptly fell asleep inside the vehicle and was awakened by the officers.  Owners of the vehicle did not know Figueroa, nor did they give him permission to drive the vehicle. Figueroa was arrested for vehicle theft and booked into the Tuolumne County Jail.