On August 4th, 2025, the owner of Gifted Hands Auto Service reported that a customer's 2016 Honda Civic was reported stolen from their lot the night prior. A manager of the repair shop contacted the vehicle's owner to see if she had picked up her vehicle, despite body repairs having not yet been completed. She quickly confirmed that she had not taken her car off of the lot, leading to the owner urgently informing the Winter Haven Police Department to help them locate the stolen Honda Civic. This is how the investigation unfolded. >> Hello. >> Hey, how you doing? >> Good. How are you? >> All right. I ain't doing too good. >> Okay. What's going on? This is your job. >> This is my business. >> Your business. Okay. >> Okay. >> I leave to go home. It was a blue Honda back then. Right here. Honda Accord. 100 city. We come in today cuz we just get back today. It's gone. >> Okay. >> Got the reported stolen. But then I don't know cuz somebody just say the repo truck could have got it. I don't know. >> Okay. >> I called talked with your dispatch at at the office got what what the tag she say with the army people have a veteran tag. Says has a veteran tag on it. >> Okay. So you don't do you know the tag number? >> No. She just say it's got a uh veteran tag. >> Okay. So we can't obviously find out if it was repoed unless we have the tag number. >> Oh. When I talked with her, she say they got a couple re they got a repo for a blue Honda Civic. So, I don't know if that's it. >> Okay. I mean, hopefully it was repoed, right? >> I'm hoping. I never had a car got stolen from here, >> right? But also, it could be boyfriend coming to take it. You know what I mean? A son. It really could be anything. >> Do y'all have um surveillance footage around here? >> The cameras went out. We got cameras, but when it hit when it rained Thursday, that lightning, it tore them up. So, we actually waiting on the guy to come out now. Okay. >> I've been here 11 and 12 years. I I never had this problem. Yeah. >> Yeah. It sounds a little strange to me. Do you believe the vehicles unlocked at all? >> No, I lost. >> And typically Hondas aren't the vehicle people steal. >> Usually Hyundai's or Kia. They're easier. >> This one here was all beat up. So I I man, I'm going to show you the picture. I don't know why they take this one. >> Right. This is the vehicle. >> That's the vehicle. >> And that's how it was brought here. That's how it was. >> And the windows weren't left down, right? They were rolled up. >> They weren't left down. >> Usually, they'll go to like the car dealership and steal the new ones, you know? >> Yeah. >> So, who was the last person that had the um keys to the car? >> My son work here. We locked him up and everything. >> So, your son >> was the one that had the key last. Do you guys still have the key? >> Yeah, the key in there. >> Everything goes through you. So, no, nothing is done without your permission. >> Yeah. Don't nothing. Um I leave early on Friday and it be him and my son. They closed, >> but we all left Friday. So, we don't know Friday night, Saturday when we just seen it today. >> Okay. Gotcha. And those are the keys. >> That's the Honda key. >> Okay. >> Okay. And >> cuz usually whenever a vehicle gets repoed, they automatically think it's stolen. So, it's automatically put in our system. >> Okay. >> That it was repoed. But right now, we don't have anything of the source. So, right now, it's considered stolen. >> Yeah. So, vehicle owner said that's the only key she has. >> No one has access to the vehicle. >> She's married. Her and her husband are on their way here right now. She said she's up to date on payments. So, she said it can't it couldn't have gotten repoed. She gave me a tag, though. So, I'm going to go >> Oh, yeah. Um, OPR. I'm going to drive around and see if I can find it. >> Is the vehicle black? >> Yeah, it is. >> Okay. I thought it was blue in the pictures. Um, and no one had permission to take it. >> No. >> All right. So, the last time it was being driven and it was hit on a license plate reader was at what it say 12:58 last night. So, I have another officer driving around in the area right now. Okay. >> So, they done seen it already. >> So, the last one was I think it said Lutheran Park by like Lake Smart 10 miles from here. So, >> Joy Ride just um >> like it's real strange like why would you steal a cop from an auto shop? >> It's very bad. It's is at a shop and it need battery. Why would you take that? We got a thousand other cars out here, >> right? >> I hope y'all can find that car. >> I I'm just curious. I want to know who got that car and I can get you a refund on that door. They going to charge me a 35 just 35. They charge 35% if you stop it. I'm sorry. I never had this problem in my whole life. I've been had this shot I've been here 12 years. >> Can I have your daughter's phone number? >> Hey, I know you at work, but I need you to step out. Officer, I need to ask you a question. >> Hey, hun. How you doing? >> Hi. >> Good. Just a quick question. I know you drive your mom's vehicle sometimes. Do you have any friends or boyfriend or anyone that would have came and known where this car was and like drove it around Winter Haven? >> No. No one else had access to that vehicle? >> No. >> Okay. All right, honey. I appreciate you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Bye-bye. >> Yeah, we from here, >> right? No. No. I totally get it. Absolutely. Your daughter dropped it off or you dropped it off? >> My daughter dropped it off. I came before. >> So you didn't see it here and then your daughter saw it by herself here or was she with someone? >> No, she was with someone. >> Okay. Who was she with? >> Her name's Tiffany. >> She was like he had killed. >> He said he has cameras but they went >> right now. That's an empty box. >> The one outside >> in it. >> It's nothing inside that box. >> Interesting. >> No, I'm trying. Not talking about how my husband not going to keep my cool cuz he's been stalling. They a very to get in, >> right? >> So you my car wasn't a lot. >> Yeah, I know. It's very strange. >> The only car they steal is my car, >> right? >> I know. You know, there has to be an explanation for this cuz it sounds weird and it's damaged. The vehicle's damaged. So >> like badly damaged like that's why we get the door is cuz it runs in the car, right? So I >> No, don't be sorry. Don't be sorry. I'll be with you shortly. Okay, >> I'm calm. >> I'm calm. >> It's too hot to get hot. [laughter] >> I'm calm. >> But I mean, cuz if you didn't want to fix my car, you could have just said, "Hey, I ain't got the manpower to fix it. Can you come and get it?" >> Yeah, absolutely. >> No problem. >> Do you happen to have like maybe a air tag in there, something to track the vehicle? >> And I wish even if it was getting repoled, they wouldn't know where it is. There's no tracker in it. >> That's what I was thinking with the repo. I said they wouldn't come to a business. They don't know where it is. They go to your house for that. My daughter said it has a key chain on it with a mini mouse. With a mini >> and that's what she gave to him. >> Yep. >> Okay. A key chain with a mini mouse. >> With a mini mouse on it connected to it. >> So, just to like keep you in the loop, the key is not in there. >> And his son just recently started working here again after he fired him. So, we're trying to get in contact with his son. Okay. Um, his son lives in Hane City. So, we're going to try and get whatever jurisdiction it is, a deputy or an officer over there, and maybe the cars in the driveway. Now, we're trying to figure out where your key is at. >> Okay, >> that's the only Honda key you have. I looked at all of them. There's no other Honda. There's no other Honda key in it. After speaking with the store owner, it was determined that neither the store owner or his son had any involvement in the theft of the Honda Civic. Needing to act quickly, initial officers put out a departmentwide bolo report detailing the vehicle's information with all officers on duty. And luckily 7 hours later, officers on routine patrol spotted a Honda Civic matching the description given earlier and urgently performed a high-risk traffic stop. >> No. Out. >> Get out of the car. >> Hey, you're going to get darker. Get out. You're going to get out of the car. Put your hands up. You're going to get darker. Just helping out. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Hold on. Let me >> All right. You got anything? L. >> Damn. >> All right. Go ahead. Have a seat. Hey, that damage on the side I think was already there when I picture I showed you that damage is already on it. >> Yeah. >> What's up my man? What's your uh first name? >> Christopher. >> Say it again. >> Christopher. >> Christopher. Did you have the keys on you for the vehicle? >> It's in the car. All right. So, look, I'm going to read you something real quick. All right. All right. So, you have the right to remain silent. How you got this vehicle? >> Oh, company vehicle. Family vehicle. >> Family vehicle. Yeah. >> Where'd you get it from? >> Helping Hand. >> Helping Hand. >> Yeah. >> What? What's a helping hand? >> Company. >> The company? >> Yeah. >> Helping Hand Company gave you the vehicle? >> Yeah. >> When they give it to you? >> Couple days ago. >> Couple days ago. Or is it like your boss gave it to you or something? >> Oh, this just a student loan vehicle. >> Student loan vehicle. >> Yeah. They just keep it there for anybody that need to use it. >> Who handed you the keys? >> Lady. >> A lady. >> Well, the lady left it in the vehicle. You >> said she left it in the vehicle. >> Yeah. Did you >> see her leave it in there or something? >> Yes. >> Were you watching her? No, >> we just different type of people just borrow the car. We're not there. >> So, she borrowed the vehicle first and then left the keys in there. >> No, it's their vehicle, but they leave the keys in there. >> They leave the keys in there. >> Okay. And then so you went up there, went inside, grabbed it, and been using it ever since. >> Yeah, I just bought the car. >> Okay. >> Been driving it. >> Been driving it ever since. Okay. Search vehicle. >> Did somebody text you and tell you that you can use a vehicle or something? >> Uh, yeah. I kind of went over there like weeks back and told him that I was on feed and I didn't get to take care of them some stuff. >> You got a phone number for him? >> I said I don't got no phone, no nothing. >> So, how you talk to him? >> This is This is what I'm trying to situate. >> So, how did you talk to him? It's a company I just spoke to. And >> you've been sleeping in the car this whole time. Thursday and Friday. >> Yeah. Or I just go to the company and park the car and sleep right there. >> And what's So where's the company at? If you know where it's at, >> it's I don't really know the address. I just know it's over there uh by Restore. >> So where is Restore? >> It's it's uh if I could take you there, I would. But I I don't even remember the name. Whatever you >> So I'll let you know in a second. All right. I'm trying. We're trying to figure out what's going on. >> How you get the vehicle? >> Is it public? >> All right. All right. So, quick question. So, Reed's Groceries is right there, correct? So, where did you um get the vehicle from? >> Right here. >> So, this one right here, that's where you That's where you got it from? >> Yes. >> Okay. He pointed to right where it was at. >> Right there. >> Put that in your report. >> That's the evidence of him pointing out a map where he took the car, which just so happens to be was stolen. So if he tries to say, "I was given vehicle a week later and I got it somewhere else." Like, "No, man. Look, you literally pointed to the map to where it was at the body shop. This isn't helping hands or whatever you're talking about." >> Officers were able to identify the suspect as 27year-old Christopher Rodriguez, a homeless man who lives in the area. Inquiring further, Chris states that he was given permission to use the Honda Civic by the owner, who he identified as Bubba, to quote, "take care of some stuff until it was no longer needed." The owner, however, did not cooperate his version of events. Finally securing the vehicle, police proceeded to inquire with the RSO to get permission to search her car, which was promptly granted where police would make some rather disturbing findings. >> Hey, just uh real quick, just not touch anything yet so we can get see if we can get some prints off of it. >> Okay. >> But um yeah, we got the person in custody. Um >> how did he get the car? >> He said the keys were left in it. >> Oh. We got dreads. >> No. >> Okay. >> This is basically giving us conser consent to search the vehicle by you um to search it for any evidence. I'm going to write have you write your name here. I'm going to fill this in. Basically, >> did he just pull over? Y'all had to get and get him. >> Yes. >> Y'all had to get and get it. >> Yes. >> God dang it. >> We didn't hit the vehicle. Nobody hit the vehicle. >> We should have hit the vehicle. Should you have it? [laughter] >> Stop. I'm former law enforcement. Let me call dirty his all dirty. >> Oh, all this his he stole somebody purse. That That looks to be all my stuff. >> You're good. Say what you got to say. You good. So, the guy is actually a known homeless guy around here. We know him. Just to be clear, you wanting to press charges. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> How long did he say how long he had it? >> He said he's had it since last week. Like Wednesday or Thursday? on street. >> Last Wednesday, Thursday. >> Last Wednesday or Thursday. >> That guy just lied and said that. >> Please don't tell me that. >> He said he said it. >> Well, this guy could be lying. >> He I don't think he is. >> I don't know. I really Hey. Very nice. >> Maybe this car. >> I saw him walking around with this the other day. >> He said he just walked up to the car, opened it, and got in. Nobody gave >> That's That's as far as I heard. He said That's as far as I heard. I I doubt he has anything to do with the the owner. >> The owner >> because that we know that guy. Oh, >> and that's I'm not going to say that's not his MMO, you know. I just I I just doubt it. Muffins. All right, that looks to be it. Okay, now I'm going to find some prints hopefully. >> Oh, yeah. I got some nice ones right on the screen. Perfect. I'll take those. >> Hey, First Amendment. You have a freedom of speech, but just keep your hands to yourself, please. Yeah. >> My $300 that I paid him, the deposit, it better be back. It better tomorrow. Tomorrow. >> All right. Well, thank y'all very much. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Take care. >> And y'all have a good night. Drive safe. >> Upon driving Chris to the police station, officers still had burning questions to ask him. How did he get the keys? Was he really given permission to use the car? promptly sitting him down in an interrogation room. Detectives push him for these exact answers. However, obtaining a clear story from Rodriguez would prove to be incredibly difficult. >> So, who is they that told you that the car was going to be over there? >> A friend that always borrows the car and parks it there. They whoever >> they always borrow that car. >> Yeah. >> You know, his friend's name. You have any type of name, nickname or anything? >> I mean, I can give you a nickname, but I just call him Bubble. He lives in the area. >> Bubble. Is that the friend that told you that the car is going to be available for you? >> Yes. >> Oh, all the stuff in the back seat. Is that all yours? >> Everything? >> Yes, sir. >> So, there was some um there was some drugs that was in the car as well. >> Drugs? >> Yeah. You know what you think about that? car belong to you. >> That's it. >> Are you sure? >> A thorough search of the Honda Civic uncovered a bag of clothes belonging to Rodriguez, as well as a small baggie containing a crystalall-like substance, which later tested positive for methamphetamine. With the day winding down and Chris not giving clear answers to detectives, he would promptly be booked into the Pulk County Jail, facing charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while license is suspended or revoked. Rodriguez [music] remains innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of