Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Rental Car Employee Arrested for Running 'Side Hustle'

A Hertz employee at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been arrested for renting vehicles on the side for his own profit.

February 5, 2020
Rental Car Employee Arrested for Running 'Side Hustle'

After finding that rental cars were being stolen from the airport, the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Police Department and the Sarasota Police Department started an investigation in October.

Photo via Luctheo/Pixabay.

1 min to read


A Hertz employee at Florida’s Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been arrested for illegally renting company vehicles for his own profit, according to a report by the Bradenton Herald News.

After finding that rental cars were being stolen from the airport, the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Police Department and the Sarasota Police Department started an investigation in October, says the report. 

Ad Loading...

Police discovered that 10 rental vehicles had been stolen from the airport’s Hertz location and an employee was “renting the vehicles off the books for his personal financial gain,” according to the report.

Donald La Shard Poole Jr. was arrested and charged with one count of grand theft auto. Several rental cars that have been identified as stolen still haven’t been found, according to Ted Kohuth, airport authority’s chief of police.

More Legal & Legislative

ARN Industry Newsmakers thumbnail page with ARN and ICRS logos and shots of Nick DiPrima and Martin Romjue
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 27, 2026

Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage

Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.

Read More →
A Toyota Prius on a flatbed tow truck underneath a giant towing hook.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueFebruary 1, 2026

Bandit Towing A Tough Road For Car Rental Companies

Operators often must spend far too much time and resources trying to recoup rental cars towed away and held hostage to outrageously high fees.

Read More →
ACRA executives with a Congresswoman in the living room of an event house during a PAC fundraiser.
Legal & Legislativeby Sharky LaguanaJanuary 9, 2026

ACRA: Spurring Car Rental Industry Success

The American Car Rental Association scored more access and influence in 2025 as it grows its services for car rental operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An AVOA graphic sits on a blue background.
Legal & Legislativeby News/Media ReleaseDecember 16, 2025

AVOA Partners with AALA and NLC

The American Vehicle Owners Alliance (AVOA) recently announced its partnership with the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) and the National League of Cities (NLC).

Read More →
Legal & Legislativeby Martin RomjueSeptember 29, 2025

ACRA Takes Bold Strides On Capitol Hill

The American Car Rental Association’s annual legislative and lobbying event upped the face time with and access to members of Congress.

Read More →
Two men working at a Green Motion U-Save car rental county with green and yellow logo backdrops.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueSeptember 8, 2025

Rental Car Leader Engages With Primary Industry Causes

Q&A Interview: Federal contracting, EV charging infrastructure, stolen vehicles, and policy advocacy drive an agenda for Carlos Bazan-Canabal that stretches beyond his car rental executive post.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Attendee playing piano on exhibit floor and entertaining guests.
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 21, 2025

Get Ready: ICRS 2026 Open for Business and Call for Papers

The 30th anniversary International Car Rental Show heads to the Dallas area as it celebrates a legacy and pivots toward an industry marketplace and forum suited to the fourth decade ahead.

Read More →
Panelists seated and standing on stage at conference.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueAugust 7, 2025

Inside The Fight To Catch Rental Car Thieves

Recovering stolen rental vehicles requires foresight, cooperation, and a firm grasp of legal procedures with car renters.

Read More →
Legal & Legislativeby Martin RomjueJuly 30, 2025

Rental Car Industry Readies For Annual D.C. Presence

With past successes and facing new realities, the American Car Rental Association centers on its theme of “performance and policy” for an upcoming conference.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Legal & Legislativeby Chris BrownJuly 8, 2025

Car Rental Industry Legislation That Got Results [ICRS Interview Series]

ACRA President Sharky Laguana details his harrowing experience trying to retrieve a stolen rental van from his fleet and how he pursued a long-term solution.

Read More →
Ad Loading...