A 29-year-old Ocala man was arrested after allegedly stealing an ex-girlfriend’s vehicle.
On Sunday, October 24 around 4:15 p.m., a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Circle K gas station at 7580 SW Highway 200 in reference to a stolen vehicle.
A tan sedan was parked on the west side of the gas station and a man, later identified as Joshua Eric Rodriguez, was in the front seat with the door open.
A check of the vehicle’s license plate confirmed that it had been reported stolen. The deputy searched Rodriguez and discovered the car key for the stolen vehicle, and inside Rodriguez’s wallet the deputy also found the vehicle owner’s credit card.
Rodriguez was arrested, and he agreed to speak with the deputy. He stated that the vehicle belonged to an ex-girlfriend, and he insisted that his ex-girlfriend allowed him to borrow the vehicle.
He then told the deputy several times that he “died and came back to life in the woods” and he was unable to answer any further questions.
He was transferred to Marion County Jail and is currently being held on $3,500 bond. He faces several felony charges including vehicle grand theft.
No court date has been scheduled yet, according to jail records.