PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County Sheriff’s Warrant Squad arrested a Cape Coral man Tuesday who was wanted for stealing a $40,000 semi-tractor from Port Charlotte on Oct. 6. Arrested for felony grand theft motor vehicle was William Reed Arthur, 58, of the 2400 block of N. 20th Place W. CCSO received a call from the owner of U.S. Express, who said a terminated Arthur who then stole his red 2007 Freightliner semi-truck at 7380 Sawyer Circle in the Gulf Cove area off Gasparilla Road. The owner said he fired Arthur at 9 a.m. for damaging a tractor trailer and gave a mechanic the keys to the truck. When the owner returned at 1:40 p.m., he discovered the truck missing; it was suspected Arthur had a spare key. While taking the report at the business, the deputy made telephone contact with Arthur who said he took the truck and drove it to a Pilot gas station in Fort Myers and parked it. The owner drove to the Pilot station but could not locate his truck. The owner stated Arthur called him and advised he was not getting his truck back.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Arthur. He was finally located by Lee County Sheriff’s deputies. Arthur was transported Tuesday to the Charlotte County Jail where he was arrested on the warrant and remains on no bond. On Oct. 9, the stolen truck was found by FHP in Labelle in Hendry County.