Winter Haven, FL – Just before midnight last night, August 4, 2025, Winter Haven Police officers received information regarding a 2016 Honda Civic reported stolen earlier that day. The vehicle was observed in the area of Lucerne Park Road at Winter Ridge Drive in Winter Haven.
The vehicle had been reported stolen after the manager of Gifted Hands Auto, located at 1225 5th Street SW in Winter Haven, contacted the registered owner to inquire if the vehicle had been retrieved. The vehicle was at the shop for body repairs. The registered owner stated that no one other than shop employees was authorized to remove the vehicle from the lot.
Officers located the vehicle in the area of 1st Street North at Avenue F Northeast and conducted a lawful traffic stop. Officers contacted the driver, identified as 27-year-old Christopher Rodriguez (DOB: 02/16/1998, homeless), and requested that he exit the vehicle. Rodriguez was detained and questioned about his possession of the vehicle.
Rodriguez stated that he spoke to a friend named “Bubba,” who advised that the business leaves vehicles for homeless individuals to use. Rodriguez further stated that the manager at the repair shop gave him permission to take the vehicle to “take care of some stuff” until it was no longer needed.
The registered owner of the vehicle was contacted and provided consent for officers to search the vehicle. Officers located clothing belonging to Rodriguez inside the vehicle. Underneath a shirt, officers found a baggie containing a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
Rodriguez was taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center. He was charged with Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (third-degree felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (third-degree felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (first-degree misdemeanor), and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (second-degree misdemeanor).
Source: Winter Haven Police Dept. Press Release
