An ex-con from Staten Island was arrested this week for swiping an SUV from an autobody shop – and then driving the hot wheels to Atlantic City so he could get sloshed back on New Year’s Eve, The Post has learned.
Alfonso Manzo, 49, boosted the Chevy Equinox from a Tottenville repair shop on Dec. 31and then headed out with his brother-in-law for a wild night at Caesars Casino, law enforcement sources said.
But when they tried to get the SUV back the next morning, the valets refused to turn it over because Manzo was drunk and his brother-in-law had lost the claim ticket, sources said.
The valets instead notified the shocked owner, who was unaware his ride had even been taken, sources added.
The joyriding Manzo and his brother-in-law were forced to take a cab back to the Island, sources said.
The Staten Island Auto Crime Unit launched an investigation and caught up with Manzo on Monday when he showed up at his probation office in St. George, sources added.
“He said, ‘I didn’t steal it, I was borrowing it,’ ” said one source.
Manzo is serving five years probation for a 2011 aggravated unlicensed driving conviction, sources added.
A warrant for his arrest had been issued in February and his family was apparently aware that he was a wanted man, though investigators can’t prove that any relatives helped hide him, sources said.
“They checked his house a few times and couldn’t find him. He was definitely on the run,” said a source, who was flabbergasted that Manzo showed up at the probation office knowing he was being sought.
“He should’ve known better,” another source quipped. Department of Probation officers placed Manzo in custody and held him until cops arrived.
After getting busted, Manzo alleged that the owner of the shop had “lent” him the SUV, a claim the owner flat-out denied today when reached by The Post.
Manzo was charged with grand larceny, unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property.
Records show he did four prison stints and sources say his criminal record boasts 28 arrests dating back to 1984.
Additional reporting by Jennifer Bain