Florida Man Accused of Stealing Cybertruck During Test Drive, Returning to Dealership to Retrieve Belongings

A Florida man is facing serious charges after allegedly stealing a Tesla Cybertruck during a test drive and then returning to the dealership to retrieve his belongings. Dexter Smithen visited a Tesla dealership in Tampa last month to test drive the Cybertruck Cyberbeast, but failed to return the vehicle within the agreed-upon time frame.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Smithen gave the sales associate his driver’s license, signed a test-drive agreement, and then drove off with the Cybertruck. Despite attempts to reach him, Smithen did not return the vehicle as promised. A different sales associate used geolocation tracking to locate the stolen truck at a Home Depot, where Smithen had parked it and gone inside the store.

Smithen later returned to the dealership to collect his belongings from the stolen Cybertruck and was promptly arrested. During a search, deputies found five credit cards with different names on them in Smithen’s possession. He now faces charges of grand theft and unlawful possession of personal identification.

This bizarre case highlights the risks associated with test driving high-end vehicles and serves as a cautionary tale for both car dealerships and potential customers. Smithen’s alleged actions have landed him in hot water, and the legal consequences could be severe. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.