Defense attorneys, in close cooperation with the DC judicial system, have institutionalized the "some guy" defense.
The "some guy" defense goes like this: "That car? I didn't steal it! Some guy said I could drive it!" At that point, the "Grand Theft, Auto" felony charge is immediately bumped down to "Unauthorized Use of an Automobile".
You will note in the article that the offenders had repeatedly been "arrestd" for car theft. No mention was made of any convictions on those charges.
Witness the effectiveness of the "some guy" defense.
"Washington, D.C., a work free drug place!"
A job in Anacostia in the early 90's was the last straw for me... I fled to New Mexico.