On February 13th, 2026, officers were dispatched to a residence after receiving reports of vehicle fraud. >> How can I help you today? >> So, fun story. We sold our car dealership out of Riverview. >> Okay. >> Um we sold a vehicle to an individual. Um delivered it. It was all done over the phone. Delivered it to an address in Port Charlotte. >> Okay. >> Where she picked it up, signed all paperwork, gave us a check. >> Okay. >> Um the check turned out to be fraudulent. >> Okay. >> And um so we're trying to retrieve our vehicle. >> Mhm. >> Um so I need to submit a vehicle theft report for the vehicle. >> Okay. Um it wouldn't be a theft because you guys gave them the vehicle in exchange, you know, for what you thought was an a check, but >> So we filed a report with Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. >> Okay. That's where your office is? Okay. >> Um he he actually said it wouldn't be a theft because she had fraudulent intention. >> Mhm. >> It was a fake check. >> So um was her name on the check? Like did the driver's license match the name on the check? >> her business name. >> Oh, she put the Jeep in her business name that she purchased. Okay. >> check was made out to her business name. >> Okay. >> Um we ran like a SunBiz report and verified her name is associated with the business. >> With the business. Okay. >> Just to make sure that all that matched up. >> Okay. >> I've got in my email, I've got copy of the driver's license, bill of sale, >> Okay. >> the check. >> So you've already filed like the fraud report with Hillsborough. >> Yes. >> So they took the initial report. Okay. >> They said because the transaction occurred in Charlotte County, >> Uh-huh. >> we had to file it in Charlotte County. >> Of course they did. >> Generally we meet at person's house, which there's a lot of red flags. Um but she wanted to meet at Target because her story was she wanted to surprise her boyfriend, so she wanted to meet close to her boyfriend's work, so she drove to her boyfriend's work. >> Okay. >> Which not true. >> So, how did you guys find out the check was fraudulent? >> We didn't realize that it was odd until we got a call from uh Sarasota dealership. >> Okay. >> That this lady had purchased a vehicle from them >> Okay. >> Sunday doing the same thing. >> Uh-huh. >> She went up there though. Gave him the same check. I have a copy of that check. >> Okay. >> It's exactly like the one we got. >> Okay. >> Um so, he called us when she pulled up cuz she bought it on Sunday. He called her and he was like, "I think there was a problem with the payment. Can you come come back and and talk this over?" He saw that she was driving the vehicle that she purchased from us. >> Mhm. >> He was like, "This seems suspicious." He was able to find out that she bought it from us and he called us and he was like, "Hey guys, um did you sell this lady a vehicle?" We're like, "Yeah." He's like, "So did I." Yada yada yada. We're like, "Okay, so she's sketchy?" He's like, "Absolutely. She's a fraud." >> Right. >> And then I got confirmation this afternoon that the check did in fact >> Not go through. >> back. >> Okay. Did she So, how much was the check for? Did she like >> 53,000. >> 53,000. Okay. >> 53,382 or >> 82. Okay. >> I'm Detective Richardson with the Charlotte County Sheriff Office. >> This is regarding the Honda. >> Yeah, I just have some questions for you. >> Yeah, what's up? >> So, can you come out and talk to me and tell me what's going on with that? >> Yeah, I mean, nothing's really going on. I bought a check So, it's I have an case. >> Okay. >> The money's in a protected account and they got a check that says like check with sender, not like not like a a blocked check. So, I literally have given them proof that I'm just letting the bank release it. No one's talked to me. Zagan! Like I have been I texted the deputy last night, the the sheriff. They They literally I had to go to the hospital for a panic attack over it because I literally am like I got cornered like to tell us how you got this money. Like it's a very sensitive subject to get money over a very long settlement, you know. >> All right. Are you willing to give me a sworn recorded statement? >> What? >> Are you willing to give me >> I am not giving a recorded statement while I'm heavily drugged. Like that's I'm not even coherent right now. You know what I mean? >> Okay. >> I can come in and give it a recorded statement. Um I just don't think like yeah, I can give Where do I have to go to give a recorded statement? Or can you do it right here? >> We can Well, we'd prefer to do it at the sheriff's office. >> Yeah, I literally have We just moved here. I have my dogs. I have no problem giving a statement, but um >> Do you have something showing where this this check was cleared or that there's funds inside the account? >> What? >> Do you have something showing that the check was cleared or that you had funds? >> isn't cleared. It's pre-funded, but it's like the bank pulls money to generate the check. But yeah, I've sent them all of that. I've sent them the proof. I've sent them the communication with the bank that the money was there. >> Who did you send to? >> What? >> What What dealership are we talking about? >> Gettel. >> What car are you talking about? >> The Honda. >> No, we're here for the Jeep. >> The Jeep? >> Yeah, we're here for this beautiful green Jeep sitting right behind me. >> Oh, so it must be the same thing. Um the same the check the same thing. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it must be the same thing. Um no one's reached out to me about the Jeep though. >> So no No one at the dealership has reached out to you? >> No, I've been I talked to the guy yesterday and no one has said anything about the Jeep. >> Who'd you talk to yesterday? >> The owner. >> Do you know his name? I don't know these people, that's why I'm asking. >> No, uh he was saying that he had the wrong tire and he gave me the wrong charger so to come grab it. Yeah, no one has said anything to me me the Jeep. >> Well, that's the case that I'm investigating. >> Yeah, I know. Um but it must be the same thing. I did get an email today for the Jeep though uh that says the same thing like we need to verify the check. Uh not verify the check. Uh you need to manually release the check from my bank. >> Your bank sent you an email? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, what was the issue with that? >> So, it's just a protected account. It's It's like a uh it's a manual verification to make sure it was me releasing and doing the check. Like >> Yeah. >> All right. >> So, no one has called I'm like shocked actually cuz he I haven't even met talked to the guy at all. Like why wouldn't he text me, you know, or call me and say that? >> Well, they've been trying to get a hold of you. >> He has not. I literally have my phone. >> Okay. >> I guess though uh cuz we're in the middle of moving. This is registered to my business. >> Okay. >> Um how did you I'm so confused. Like I literally just moved here. >> What are you confused about? >> Cuz it's registered to the business address. >> Okay, but you were the one who purchased the vehicle, correct? You provided all your information. >> Yeah. Well, yeah. I just I'm I'm shocked. I just I'm just confused cuz I haven't heard from him at all. Like I literally have my phone. Uh I checked it right before you guys got here. Like who's at my door? Am I expecting someone? I have no missed phone calls, nothing. No text message. >> Well, they claim they've been trying to reach out to you since you did the transaction on Tuesday. >> They got the Jeep. >> Yes. >> I literally can show you a text message with him yesterday where he he messaged he didn't say anything. >> You want to show it? I'd love to see it. >> Yeah. He even said yesterday at 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. I have a few things to do tomorrow so I may not be able to come in later in the day. I have five different shop guy I have the shop guys with five different chargers for you uh for the electric charger. >> You want to show the message or something? >> Yeah, this is with the dealership. >> What's the phone number that he was using to text from? Cuz it like I said they said they've been reaching out to you. And who are you speaking with there? >> The The person who I facilitated the whole entire deal with. >> Which is whom? I don't know who. >> I don't know. Whoever answers the main phone number. I don't know his name. But >> So you you essentially purchased this online? Or did you go into a dealership? >> They brought it to me. >> But how did the transaction transpire? >> I said I like I signed the paperwork when they brought me the car and I >> But you never physically went into a dealership. >> No, it's in Tampa. >> Okay. All right. >> But yeah, if you want to see uh >> Is your Honda here, too? >> No, um it's a business card. These are for business the business. But yeah, he literally just >> screen protector. It's hard to see. >> Oh, sorry. He literally text me last night. >> Okay. And you just have it as Jeep Depot. >> Yeah. Is it reported as stolen? Like can I drive it? >> The Jeep? >> Yeah. >> It's not reported as stolen. >> Okay. >> So that's just you initially contacting him about the Jeep. >> Yeah, and this is our conversation yesterday. Like I haven't gotten anything. >> No phone calls from anyone else from Jeep Depot? >> No. I um get spam calls all day, but no, I haven't gotten my last phone call. I haven't gotten anything. I'm scroll This is from like 12:05 p.m. and not a single phone call. >> Okay. >> And I texted the him today, actually. My last reply to him was this morning at 9:00 9:12 a.m. 9:12 a.m. Does that sound good? Cuz he text me last night, but I didn't reply. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> Just Give me a moment. Let me make a phone call to the dealership. I'll be right back with you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> After conducting the investigation, officers went to the suspect's house to make an arrest after discovering that the suspect did knowingly present a check in the amount of $53,382 to obtain possession of a motor vehicle. >> [snorts] >> Hello. How are you? You got a 911 hang up for this address. >> I've been dead asleep. >> You have? Oh, so you you didn't accidentally call? >> No, literally I am wicked sick right now. I've been dead asleep. No 911 hang up. >> Okay. You don't have any injuries or anything like that? You mind if you you come out to the to the door so I can check you real quick? >> Yeah. >> Your dog's up? >> Yeah. >> Okay. You don't have any injuries or anything like that? >> No. >> Okay. You have you have packages there? >> Yeah. >> You want to come out here? >> No, I I'm what's going on? >> Huh? >> I don't know who would call 911. >> Well, it just came from this address. I want to make sure everything's okay. >> Yeah, no. I'm fine. There's no one else here. It's just me. >> Okay. I got you. You don't have any injuries to your back or anything like that? Okay. >> No injuries. Yeah. >> Okay. Can you come step out for me? >> Why would I need to step out? >> So I need to talk to you. >> Okay, what's going on? >> There's I just need to talk to you, okay? >> I'm not stepping outside. What's going on? >> So, there's an investigation going on. >> Yeah. >> I just need to talk to you. >> No, okay. I'm not stepping outside. What's going on? >> Well, I don't know the details of it. >> Okay. Is it a warrant? >> Huh? >> [laughter] >> Is it a warrant? >> Not yet. >> Okay, what's going on then? >> I don't know. I don't know the details of it. >> So, what do you need me to step outside for? >> Huh? >> What do you need me to step outside for? >> to you. >> Yeah, I can step out right now. >> are barking and everything like that. I'd like to talk to >> feel comfortable stepping outside. I am half asleep right now. What's going on? >> Okay. So, do you want to talk to my sergeant real quick? >> Yeah, I can talk. >> All right. >> Hi. >> Okay. So, here's the deal. There's an investigation conducted, okay? Um I'm not going to lie to you, okay? I don't want to lie to you. I don't want to give you anxiety or treat you in any kind of way. But, there are active charges right now for you. >> For what? >> For I believe it's scheme to defraud. >> What? >> Scheme to defraud. >> Okay, for who? >> For you. >> No, no. For what? >> I guess something involving a vehicle. >> Okay. >> the exact >> Okay. >> I don't know the exact stuff with that, okay? >> Yeah. >> you probably know more because you already maybe spoke to a detective >> Yeah. Last month, yeah. >> Okay. All right. So, with that being said, we've got to place you in the custody because you're under arrest on those charges. Okay? Does that make sense? >> Just Can it be any other day? I have to find a dog sitter and stuff right now, like >> So, here's the here's what I will do for you, okay? Because you're being cool with me right now and I appreciate it. We can work out right now on getting your dog sitter and everything for your dog. We're not going to drag you to jail and be mean to you, okay? We can work out some phone calls out there to catch you later. You will have a bond hearing in the morning. You're not going to jail to stay in jail. That's not how it works, okay? So, I'm trying to calm you down with how this all works. As long as the dogs have food, water, tomorrow morning you'll see a judge and you get a bond. >> Okay. >> Okay? You should be able to get out. And I say should because unless you have some crazy criminal history, which you do based on what I've seen, you should be able to get out, which means you will have no issue. You're allowed to use a phone when you're there. It's not like you're getting thrown in a you know, in the eternal law of that. So, we can work all that out as long as you cooperate with us. And we're being we're being cool with you. We're being honest with you, but we can't help where that's at. We had nothing to do with that. That was a detective and investigation. It's nothing to do with us. We're an apprehension unit. We come out and we make contact with people and we serve the charges. >> Right. Yeah, I know. It's frustrating cuz I've been trying to deal with that. I essentially um I got It's a long story, but yeah. >> I I get it. I know there's a probably a lot to it and we don't know anything about it. It's not our investigation. So, we're not picking on you. We just came here because you were next on the spot of people we come to check on. So, that's where we're at. We have to go behind your back, all right? >> Mhm. >> Just put your palms together like you're praying and put them in inward. It's going to be There you go. It's going to be the easy I'm telling you this will be the easiest on your wrist here. >> No, I just had surgery on my wrist so >> Well, I won't put them on tight. Is that good? >> Yeah, I just mean they're not flexible like that. >> Oh, okay. Got you. Well, then put them however you however you want. You want them like that? All right. Is that going to be okay? >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Let me hold on. Let me lock it so they don't tighten up on you then. All right? >> Yeah. >> All right. I'll get air flow for you as we get moving here. >> Thank you. >> Well, I didn't get to check yet. Is there anything on you I need to know about? Because you don't >> am naked under this dress. >> Cuz I don't want you to get charged on some stupid >> Yeah, I know. I have don't even have a bra or underwear on. I >> All right. >> She was charged with grand theft, obtaining property services with a worthless check over $150, and scheme to defraud over $50,000. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to like and subscribe.