A man claiming to be an Uber driver faces grand larceny charges in Florida after police say he stole a $250,000 Ferrari that still had the dealership sticker on the window.
According to Action News Jax, Hilburn Jay Brendon Hunkins, 26, of Kissimmee, was stopped on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 28 after a Gainesville County Drug Task Force officer spotted a black 2017 Ferrari California driving slowly on southbound Interstate 75 beside a “very high-end red Corvette.”
Hunkins appeared to be communicating with the driver of the Corvette, and when police looked up the plates on the Ferrari, it turned out to be stolen.
Hunkins allegedly told the officer that the Ferrari belonged to a friend, but was unable to provide the friend’s name or phone number.
He then tried to erase the information on his phone.
Hilburn Jay Brendon Hunkins, 26, was arrested on a charge of grand theft. (Gainesville Police Department)
Police later found that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Palm Beach County on Dec. 8, Daily Mail reported.
Hunkins has been charged with theft of property valued at over $100,000, a felony. He was booked at the Alachua County Jail and is being held without bond.
Police reportedly believe the Corvette may also have been stolen.
Hunkins reportedly told police he was an Uber driver, and a social media search of the man indicated he also worked as a realtor out of Kissimmee.
After the arrest, the Gainsville Police Department posted a satirical message on their Facebook fanpage—tips for would-be car thieves.:
“PRO TIP:
1. Don’t steal stuff. It’s just not nice.
2. Certainly don’t steal a $250,000 2017 Ferrari California.
2a. Especially when the window sticker is still on it.
3. If you ARE going to steal a $250,000 Ferrari...with the window sticker still on it...DON'T drive next to a Gainesville/Alachua County Drug Task Force vehicle with a License Plate Reader.
4. The “18MPG” is incorrect. We were only able to get 10mpg out of it when we drove it to the station.
5. #4 is a joke. We had it safely towed for the rightful owner.”
The humorous post turned out to be a hit with some people on social media, with some calling for a raise or a “Golden globe” for the individual responsible for the Gainsville Police Department Facebook page.
Tom Ozimek is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times. He has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communications, and adult education.
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