San Angelo Police Confirm Identity of Bizarre Truck Crash Suspect

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Police Department on Tuesday morning confirmed the arrest of the man who stole a bobtail truck, crashed it, and then fled the scene.

San Angelo LIVE! was on scene Tuesday and reported that a suspect stole a bobtail truck and trailer off of Bell st. After stealing the truck, the man hit a power lines and a red light. He then took off running. For more see: WATCH: Suspect Steals Truck, Raises Bed & Crashes Then Flees the Scene

The morning after, on Wednesday morning's booking report, it was reported that David Conklin, 42, of San Angelo, was arrested for the theft. The SAPD later that morning, at around 10 a.m., released an official statement on the incident. 

The following is a press release from the San Angelo Police Department:

On 3/21/23 around 4:52pm, Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Bell and Beacon in reference to a Major Motor Vehicle Accident. Officers arrived on scene and located an unoccupied 18 wheeler (with a dump trailer) rolled over onto its side. Officers learned that the dump bed of the trailer had been extended while being operated on the roadway and that multiple traffic control devices and utility poles were struck before the 18 Wheeler rolled onto its side.

Witnesses were able to inform officers that the driver of the 18 Wheeler had fled the scene on foot and was possibly hiding in a residence in the 1600blk of Beacon. Officers were then able to locate the driver (David Conklin 42yoa) inside of the mentioned residence and he was ultimately taken into custody.

SAPD’s Criminal Investigations Division assisted with this incident as it was learned that the 18 Wheeler (that was involved in the crash) had been recently reported stolen near the intersection of Veck and Bell Street.

At the conclusion of the initial investigation, Conklin was charged with Theft of Property between $30,000 and $50,000 and he was transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues. 

The SAPD would like to thank the public’s assistance with providing information to our Officers which ultimately resulted in Conklin’s arrest.