A 22-year-old Ocala man was arrested after a female victim accused him of stealing her car.
On Monday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a residence on SW 39th Circle in Ocala in reference to the theft of a vehicle. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the female victim who stated that she was at the residence with William Donato Martinez and another friend.
According to the victim, she had left her cellphone and car keys on a chair inside the residence. She stated that Martinez got up at one point to use the bathroom and did not return. When the victim went to retrieve her cellphone, she noticed that her car keys were missing.
The victim walked outside the residence and noticed that her vehicle was also gone. She stated that she attempted to call Martinez, but he answered the call and then hung up.
Throughout the night, the victim stated that she called Martinez and requested for him to bring the vehicle back, but he did not return to the residence. She told the deputy that she has never authorized Martinez to use the vehicle.
The MCSO report indicated that the Ocala Police Department located the stolen vehicle in the 3700 block of E Silver Springs Boulevard at around 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday, and an officer conducted a traffic stop. OPD notified the deputy that Martinez was the driver of the vehicle.
The deputy made contact with Martinez, and he agreed to speak about the incident. He claimed that he had permission to take the vehicle to the gas station, but he admitted that he did not go there. Instead, Martinez stated that he used the vehicle to drive his friends around.
Martinez denied taking the victim’s vehicle without permission.
Martinez was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for grand theft of a motor vehicle.
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, June 28 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.