Dexter Smithen heads back for his belongings following recovered vehicle.
A Tampa resident is facing serious charges after reportedly taking off with a Tesla Cybertruck during a test drive. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect returned days later to the very dealership he allegedly stole from, hoping to collect personal items left inside the vehicle.
In late March, 30-year-old Smithen provided his valid driver’s license to a sales associate at a Tampa Tesla dealership and signed a standard test-drive agreement. The document allowed him a 30-minute trial of the Cybertruck Cyberbeast. However, he never returned, prompting dealership staff to track the vehicle’s location.
How investigators tracked the Cybertruck and the unusual discovery they made
Days passed with no sign of the Cybertruck. The dealership tried contacting Smithen by phone and email, but the number he provided was disconnected. Feeling the pressure, employees turned to geolocation tracking. On March 31, the Cybertruck’s GPS signal led them to a local Home Depot parking lot. Smithen had reportedly parked the vehicle and gone inside the store, unaware that a salesperson was already snapping photos of him.
Wondering what might happen next? Investigators recovered the Cybertruck and found that it still contained various items belonging to the suspect. At that point, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office took over, as the stolen vehicle—valued at over $100,000—was back in safe hands.
Why the suspect’s return to the dealership took an unexpected turn
On April 1, Smithen surprised everyone by walking into the Tesla dealership, calmly asking for his belongings. Officials had already been notified, and deputies arrived on the scene to make an arrest. During a search, the authorities reported finding five different credit cards on Smithen’s person, each bearing a different name.
Can you face additional charges for holding multiple cards in different names? In many cases, the answer is yes. Unlawful possession of personal identification can lead to further legal complications. Smithen was charged with grand theft of a vehicle worth over $100,000 and possession of unauthorized personal IDs. Below is a brief timeline of the reported events:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 26 | Smithen test-drives a Cybertruck and fails to return it |
| March 31 | Dealership locates the vehicle at a Home Depot parking lot |
| April 1 | Smithen returns to dealership for personal items, is arrested |
What this story reveals about test drives and follow-up actions:
- Dealerships typically trust the driver’s license and information given.
- Tracking technology helps locate stolen vehicles with greater accuracy.
- Law enforcement agencies rely on quick dealer reports for a successful recovery.
In the end, the Cybertruck was safely back at the dealership, while the suspect’s unexpected return sealed his arrest. If you ever test-drive a high-value vehicle, it’s wise to follow the agreement. This story serves as a reminder that theft rarely goes unnoticed, especially when GPS technology is involved.