An Amherst police officer went to his patrol car to answer the call of an accident Tuesday night and found a man locked inside, attempting to drive it off the lot.Police said Peter Theado, 38, of Lorain, told police he was trying to take the car “on patrol to protect the people of Amherst.”

Police said Theado had locked the car doors and was playing loud music as he used the vehicle’s computer to talk to the dispatcher to get instructions on how override the security system and engage the transmission.

Eventually, police were able to talk the man into opening the door. He was charged with attempted grand theft, trespassing and disrupting public service.

He was being held at the Lorain County Jail.