A failed attempt at crime turned comical when Jeremiah Megallon ended up calling 911 on himself after bungling a burglary at a Texas Chrysler dealership.
Key Takeaways
- A wannabe burglar mistakenly called 911 on himself after a failed attempt, turning into a comical mishap.
- The incident took place at the Patterson Dodge dealership in Tyler, Texas.
- Jeremiah Megallon suffered injuries from broken glass and believed he was trapped, though several exits were available.
- Authorities arrived, treated Megallon’s injuries, and charged him with burglary.
The Attempted Heist
Jeremiah Megallon, age 38, embarked on a misguided mission at Patterson Dodge dealership in Tyler, Texas. In a bid to steal a car, Megallon hurled a rock through a 1-inch double-pane window, inflicting a cut upon himself. Injured and disoriented, he believed he was trapped inside the dealership, though several doors remained unlocked. His misadventure led him to call 911, seeking rescue, quite unwittingly alerting authorities to his presence.
The patrolling officers swiftly arrived and promptly tended to Megallon’s self-imposed injuries. Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh remarked, “He said he had broken into the Patterson Dodge dealership in an attempt to steal a car but was unable to get out of the building.” Their intervention saw the burglar apprehended and charged with burglary while sustaining minimal damage to the dealership itself.
An “A-comical” Turn of Events
The mix-up left authorities almost amused. Megallon inconceivably overlooked several clear exits in his confusion. Public Information Officer Erbaugh commented, “Unfortunately for him, there were several unlocked doors he could have used to get out.” Despite the situation’s comical nature, the officers treated him with due concern and later ensured his safe transport to the hospital for medical treatment.
Once healed, Megallon found himself incarcerated at Smith County Jail, facing charges for the burglary. It seems the only haul from this botched endeavor was candy from a desk, leaving the dealership with just a broken window set for quick repair.
NEW: Would-be thief calls 911 on himself after getting injured and thinking he was trapped during a failed break-in at a Dodge dealership in Tyler, Texas
The only thing Jeremiah Megallon, 38, managed to steal was candy from a salesperson’s desk pic.twitter.com/EVh6tGpQDP
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) March 30, 2025
Reflection and Response
The incident left a quirky mark in local crime chronicles and prompted reflection on criminal intent coupled with uncalculated moves. As Public Information Officer Erbaugh succinctly put it, “After 26 years here, truth is stranger than fiction.” This reminder echoes the unpredictable nature of what authorities sometimes encounter. Meanwhile, the dealership remains largely unaffected, ready to return to normalcy with only minor repairs required.
This atypical crime story indicates a reminder of societal duty in upholding safety and the uncanny turns even unlawful acts can take.
Sources:
- Would-be thief has to call 911 to beg for help when he’s hurt during goofy break-in — and mistakenly thinks he’s trapped – DNyuz
- Texas man calls 911 after injuring himself during alleged car dealership break-in
