DA: Car thief steals another vehicle to make court date

Knight is now facing a potential second strike if convicted.

Knight, who has seven prior convictions, was arrested Feb. 15 in Daly City on suspicion of possessing a stolen car. He was given an April 3 preliminary hearing date at the South San Francisco courthouse and released on $50,000 bail.

The day before the hearing, Knight reportedly stole a Honda Accord in Daly City which police found parked on the street. The Vehicle Theft Task Force later secretly placed a tracker on the car which Knight drove April 3 to the courthouse.

“He obviously wanted to make sure he didn’t fail to appear,” District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

At his hearing, Knight’s case was continued so he left. Task force agents arrested him after he got in the car to drive away. The car ignition had been punched out with a screwdriver which police reported finding on the floorboard.

Knight has pleaded not guilty in the new case but was held to answer on all charges after an April 15 preliminary hearing. He appeared in court Wednesday to set a June 16 jury trial and is also due back May 2 for a preliminary hearing in the older case. Wagstaffe expects the two to be scheduled together in the future.

Knight remains in custody on $100,000 bail.

michelle@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 102