WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – On Monday at approximately 6 p.m., 34-year-old Shonteria Story, 34, Auburndale, went to the Chevy Center located at 101 Cypress Gardens Blvd. under the ruse of purchasing a vehicle.
Police say Story had been emailing a sales associate regarding the purchase and arranged to visit the dealership.
Story was dropped off at the dealership and met with a sales associate, according to police. The salesperson showed her a 2021 Chevy Equinox.
Investigators say that due to COVID restrictions, the dealership does not allow associates to ride with customers on test drives, so the associate made a copy of Story’s license and instructed her to take a short test drive and return to the dealer.
The associate waited and attempted to reach Story by telephone. After no contact was made, at 8 p.m. the associate contacted law enforcement since it was obvious Story was not returning.
Police say that the car was equipped with OnStar, and the car was tracked to Lakeland and then ultimately found at 1193 E Main St in Bartow.
With the assistance of a Polk County Deputy, Story was located with the vehicle filled with her possessions.
Police say that Story had also removed the dealer tag from the back. Winter Haven officers arrived shortly after and took Story into custody.
Story was booked into the Polk County Jail for Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (F3).
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