Is Joyriding a Car Same As Theft In Texas ?

Case dealing with a ''joyride or car theft'' question: In Flores v. State, 888 S.W.2d 187, 190 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, pet. ref'd), the defendant was accused of auto theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle. See id. at 189. The police detained the defendant and three of his companions after they parked a Ford Mustang in a university parking lot and drove off in another car. See id. at 190. The officer discovered that the Mustang was not registered to the defendant or his companions. See id. The officer also noticed one of the Mustang's windows had been shattered, its steering column had been opened, and its ignition switch had been damaged. See id. The officer found that the car had been stolen from the university about three hours earlier. See id. The prosecutor stated at trial that the taking of the car was "just a joyride." Id. at 191. The court found that the evidence was insufficient to support appellant's conviction since it did not indicate the defendant had the intent to permanently deprive the complainant of his car. See id. at 192.