NORFOLK, Va. — A Norfolk man is headed to prison after stealing two cars, including one from a hospital parking lot, and skipping a court date.
Antwann Jamar Whitehead, 42, was sentenced on Jan. 24 to one year and four months in prison after pleading guilty to two felony grand theft auto charges and felony failure to appear in court. He will also serve five years of supervised probation and have his license suspended for 60 days upon release.
How the Thefts Happened
The first car theft happened on Oct. 4, 2023, at Sentara Leigh Memorial Hospital. Whitehead stole car keys left unattended by a nurse who was assisting a patient. He then took off in her vehicle from the hospital’s parking lot.
Norfolk Police quickly entered the stolen vehicle’s information into the Flock license plate recognition system. The next day, an officer got a hit on the stolen Chevy Tahoe near the Five Points intersection. Whitehead was behind the wheel when police pulled him over. He admitted to being at the hospital, and security footage confirmed he stole both the keys and the vehicle.
While facing charges for that theft, Whitehead was released on bond. But before his case could be resolved, he stole another car.
On Dec. 27, 2023, he visited Trimax Auto Group on North Military Highway, pretending to be a potential customer. While an employee was helping someone else, Whitehead asked to see a 2012 Ford Mustang. Instead of waiting, he took the keys and drove off with the car. He later abandoned the Mustang, but police found documents with his name inside the vehicle.
Skipping Court and Facing the Consequences
Whitehead was supposed to be in Norfolk General District Court on Feb. 27, 2024, for his first car theft hearing. He didn’t show up. That no-show led to additional charges. By October 2024, the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office secured direct indictments for both the second theft and his failure to appear.
On Jan. 24, 2025, Whitehead pleaded guilty to all charges. Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise sentenced him in accordance with state guidelines. Along with his prison time, another 11 years and eight months are suspended under strict conditions. If he violates probation or commits another crime, he could serve the remaining time.
Prosecutor: License Plate Readers Help Solve Crimes
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi credited the Flock license plate reader system for helping police locate the stolen Tahoe quickly.
“Once again, good police work and the Flock license-plate reader system enabled a key break in a car-theft case, allowing the police to make a quick arrest without encroaching on the privacy of innocent people,” Fatehi said.
He also emphasized that failing to appear in court made Whitehead’s situation worse.