Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Florida Cops Bust Alleged Rental Car Theft Ring

The thefts reportedly happened at airports in Fort Myers, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, and smaller rental locations around south Florida airports.

June 19, 2018
Florida Cops Bust Alleged Rental Car Theft Ring

The four people arrested in connection with the ring are combined facing nearly 30 counts of identity theft, grand theft of a vehicle, and conspiracy, among other charges.

Photo via Max Pixel.

1 min to read


Police in Florida arrested four people at Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport in connection with an alleged rental car theft ring that was operating across the state, the News-Press reports.

A Port Authority officer was looking for vehicle that may have been fraudulently rented from airport rental agencies Friday morning, when he spotted a black Infinity QX60 parked at a gas station near the airport. After running the license plate, the vehicle was found to be three weeks overdue, and that the name of the renter had come from a stolen ID used to fraudulently rent several other vehicles from other airport rental police.

Ad Loading...

After searching the car, police found several stolen IDs and credit cards, and two crack pipes. The woman driving the car eventually told police about the rental car theft ring and how it operated.

The thefts reportedly happened at airports in Fort Myers, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, and smaller rental locations around south Florida airports.

The four people arrested in connection with the ring are combined facing nearly 30 counts of identity theft, grand theft of a vehicle, and conspiracy, among other charges.


Related: Two Men Indicted in Rental Car Theft, Scam



More Rental Operations

Sixt H1 financial results
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 14, 2026

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.

Read More →
Bobby Klyce in memoriam image
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 13, 2026

In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend

The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.

Read More →
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 12, 2026

How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]

A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Globe image with Text: GBTA Business Travel Forecast

Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027

Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.

Read More →
Car rental sign with financial graph in background
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 2, 2026

Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations

Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.

Read More →
car rental booking engine on computer screen with text: Bookings aren't the whole story
Rental OperationsAugust 1, 2026

Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day

A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownJuly 31, 2026

This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See

This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.

Read More →
A counter agent chats with a customer over a rental counter
Rental OperationsJuly 21, 2026

The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns

Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.

Read More →
U-Save Mauritius team

U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius

The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Back view of a remote driver in front of a screen delivering a car to a location.

Global Carsharing Fleet Projected to Reach 768,000 Vehicles By 2030

A new Berg Insight forecast outlines several business models driving the projected growth in public carsharing worldwide through 2029.

Read More →
Ad Loading...