A stolen SUV that had been roaming the University of Central Florida campus did not get far. UCF police arrested a suspect at the Student Union on Tuesday after linking the vehicle to a string of car burglaries around the Orlando campus. Officers said the SUV had been left unlocked with the keys inside, and detectives tracked a laptop found in the car to an off‑campus address, helping them identify the suspect. The arrest came just hours after the vehicle was reported stolen, and investigators said additional charges are possible as the probe continues.
How officers tracked the vehicle
According to WFTV, witnesses reported a suspicious SUV circling parking lots overnight, with occupants pulling on door handles. Surveillance cameras and license‑plate readers later matched a vehicle to those reports. Detectives told the station they used video footage and the laptop’s location to follow the case back to the Student Union, where the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Investigators also said they found no signs of forced entry in any of the reported cases.
Police urge victims to report
According to the UCF Police Department, anyone who may have been impacted should file a report by calling the department’s non‑emergency line at 407‑823‑5555. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crimeline at 800‑423‑TIPS. Campus safety officials reminded students and staff not to leave keys, electronics, or other valuables in unlocked vehicles and to register property when possible.
Charges and legal context
As reported by WFTV, the suspect faces a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle, and police said the laptop and SUV were returned to the owner after the arrest. Under Florida law, taking a motor vehicle can be prosecuted as grand theft of the third degree, a felony with potential prison time and fines, as outlined in Florida Statutes. Local reporting has previously documented unlocked‑vehicle burglaries near campus, a pattern FOX 35 Orlando and campus safety officials say can be reduced with basic precautions like locking doors and removing valuables from sight.
