Judge: 'Picnic' over for teen U-Haul thief

The picnic is over for a Carson City teenager who took a U-Haul truck in July and led police on a 13-hour manhunt.

Roderick Angus MacLeod, 19, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of eluding police. He faces up to six years in prison and remains in custody in Douglas County jail on $75,000 bail.

In the early morning of July 13, MacLeod drove a 24-foot U-Haul truck off a Carson City dealership parking lot and led police on a chase through Carson City and into Indian Hills, before heading up Highway 50.

Traffic to Lake Tahoe was shut down for hours as officers began to look for MacLeod, who jumped from the truck near Glenbrook. MacLeod was eventually found behind a bush, after a homeowner saw him.

District Court Judge David Gamble told MacLeod Tuesday that despite the recommendations at sentencing by the Nevada Department of Parole and Probation and the Douglas County District Attorney's Office, he could sentence him how he sees fit.

"I've got to tell you sitting here talking to you, you're acting like you're going to a picnic," Gamble said.

He asked MacLeod what the prison sentence was for a felony charge of eluding police, to which MacLeod pleaded guilty.

"Six years or something," the 19-year-old responded.

A recommendation could be made by the district attorney's office that MacLeod attend a discipline program and be put on probation.

"I'm not a high school principal," the judge said. "I'm a judge, and this (charge) can send you to the joint."

When Gamble asked MacLeod what happened July 13, the teenager said he stole a U-Haul and refused to stop for police.

"I was driving, and cops tried to pull me over," he said. "I didn't stop."

MacLeod said he drove from Indian Hills to Carson City then up Highway 50.

"And then where'd you go?" Gamble asked.

"I jumped out of the truck on foot."

"And then what happened?" Gamble asked.

"They caught me a few hours later."

A 20-year-old passenger, Michael Mitchell, jumped from the vehicle before MacLeod began the drive up Highway 50, where he reportedly crossed yellow lines several times.

Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 22 for a misdemeanor obstructing an officer charge. Mitchell previously told East Fork Justice Court Judge Jim EnEarl he was high and didn't know, until MacLeod told him, the U-Haul was stolen.