Thief Steals Truck with GPS, Gets Tracked Faster Than He Could Drive
In a twist worthy of a heist movie, Jamey Hendrixson, a man with more driving infractions than the local traffic court can handle, found himself in a high-speed chase and a heap of trouble after swiping a truck right from a gas station parking lot.
On August 9, 2024, Hendrixson reportedly fancied a 2018 Ford F-150 more than his own wheels. The truck, left with its keys dangling in the ignition, was promptly pilfered from Diamond Oil on SE 58th Ave. Surveillance footage captured Hendrixson pacing around like he was waiting for a late-night pizza delivery, then casually slipping into the truck and driving off into the sunset—or at least onto I-75.
The stolen ride, valued at $25,000 and equipped with a LoJack tracking system, wasn’t lost for long. Deputies, tipped off by the vehicle’s GPS, caught up with Hendrixson and his passenger, Haylee Whitby, at Exit 341 after a brief but fruitless attempt to outrun the law.
Hendrixson, who admitted to “borrowing” the truck to visit his daughter in Fort Myers, seemed to think that his extensive list of license suspensions—dating back to 2014—was merely a suggestion. His claims of “borrowing” the truck fell flat as deputies noticed he was dressed in the same attire seen on the security footage.
Now facing charges of grand theft auto, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, and a third offense for driving with a suspended license, Hendrixson was carted off to Marion County Jail, leaving behind a trail of broken laws and dashed hopes of a smooth getaway.
