An Ocala woman who failed to return a rental car has been charged with fraud in Marion County, one week after she allegedly drove the rental vehicle in South Carolina while under the influence of alcohol.
On Monday, January 6, 2025, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car located at 6841 SE Maricamp Road in Ocala in reference to a customer, identified as 29-year-old Taylor Teresa Leigh Merklin, who failed to return a rental vehicle, according to the arrest report.
The deputy noted in the report that Merklin had rented the vehicle on December 20, 2024, and it was due to be returned the following day. When the rental company did not receive the vehicle by end of day on December 21, 2024, a certified letter was mailed to Merklin’s home address.
On January 6, 2025, the deputy responded to Merklin’s home located on Emerald Road and made contact with her mother. According to the report, the mother advised that Merklin was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she was arrested on January 2, 2025, for several charges that included driving under the influence of alcohol (first offense) and speeding.
Merklin was transported to Horry County Jail in South Carolina on January 2, 2025, and she was released the next day.
The deputy contacted Myrtle Beach police who advised that the rental vehicle had been towed and was still at a tow yard.
In the report, the deputy mentioned that Merklin had driven the rental vehicle to South Carolina while knowing that it had only been rented for a single day. The deputy stated that Merklin “showed no intentions to return the vehicle at the time of her rental agreement,” since she allegedly had possession of the vehicle for over 10 days prior to being arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Merklin was located by law enforcement in Marion County. She was placed under arrest and transported to Marion County Jail, where she was released the next day.
Merklin is being charged with failure to return leased property ($300 value or more).
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to Marion County Jail records.