A man is charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Methamphetamine telling authorities that he took the vehicle from a Winter Haven repair shop after he was given permission by management to use the vehicle because he was homeless.
On August 4, 2025 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Winter Haven officers received information that a 2016 Honda Civic that was reported stolen was seen in the area of Lucerne Park Rd at Winter Ridge Dr. in Winter Haven. The vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day on August 4, 2025 when the manager of Gifted Hands Auto (1225 5th St. SW, Winter Haven) contacted the registered owner to inquire if she had retrieved the vehicle since it was not on the lot for needed body repairs. The registered owner stated the vehicle had not been authorized to be taken from the lot by anyone other than employees at the shop.
When officers located the vehicle in the area of 1st St. N at Ave. F NE, a lawful traffic stop was conducted. Officers made contact with the driver, 27 year-old Christopher Rodriguez (DOB 2-16-98, homeless) requesting that he step out of the vehicle. Rodriguez was detained and questioned regarding his possession of the vehicle. Rodriguez claimed that he spoke to a friend named “Bubba” who advised that the business leaves vehicles at the location for homeless people to use. He then told officers that the manager at the repair shop gave him permission to take the vehicle to use to “take care of some stuff” until it was no longer needed.
The victim and registered owner of the vehicle was contacted and gave officers consent to search the vehicle. Clothing belonging to Rodriguez was found in the car and underneath a shirt, officers located a baggie with a crystal-like substance inside that tested positive for Methamphetamine.
Rodriguez was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center for Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle (F-3), Possession of Methamphetamine (F-3), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-1) and Driving while License Suspended or Revoked (M-2).
