Man gets 4 years in prison for stealing San Diego County sheriff's car

A 30-year-old man who took a San Diego County Sheriff's Department car on a 23-mile joy ride while high on drugs has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Sean Michael Webber had pleaded guilty to auto theft and drunk driving in the Oct. 2 incident in which he hopped into a sheriff's car and drove off during the annual Tour de Poway bicycle event.

The car was assigned to senior volunteers who help with traffic control. Two were standing outside the vehicle when it was stolen.

After a pursuit by San Diego police and California Highway Patrol officers, Webber was cornered in Carmel Valley and surrendered.

Webber had prior convictions for drunk driving and assault, according to court documents. San Diego County Superior Court Judge Eugenia Eyherabide handed down the sentence Monday. Webber was also ordered to pay $2,640 to the city of Poway.

Webber's attorney told the court that his client suffers from paranoia and delusions and believed that he was taking the Sheriff's Department car with permission.

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-- Tony Perry in San Diego