A man was arrested after police say he stole a van from a Southern California mortuary with a dead body inside, returned it about an hour later and then stole a different van from the same business.
Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback says a Rest Assured Mortuary Services employee was nearly run over as he tried to stop the man as he drove away the second time Sunday.
Railsback says an officer investigating the theft of the first van chased the second van for more than two miles. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Bobby Joe Washington, was arrested and could face charges including vehicle theft.
Police said the body had just been picked up and the driver left the keys in the van while making a brief stop at the business.
NBC4's Tony Shin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
