A Nashville man is behind bars after investigators say he rented a pickup at Nashville International Airport, drove it off the lot, and never brought it back. Court filings released Wednesday describe a months‑long trail that officers followed as the case stretched well beyond the airport parking garage and across state lines.
According to WKRN, court documents identify the suspect as Luis Fernando Rodriguez Collazo, who was booked into Metro Jail on 15 charges, including multiple counts of felony forgery, felony vehicle theft, and misdemeanor criminal impersonation. Bond was set at $262,500, the station reports. Arrest filings allege he used a fraudulent driver's license to rent a white GMC Sierra from the BNA rental lot on Sept. 19, 2025; the truck was due back Oct. 25, 2025 but was flagged Oct. 6, 2025 after a license‑plate reader picked up the plate near Falfurrias, Texas, and investigators were unable to track it beyond that point, per the documents.
How Police Say They Followed the Trail
Automatic license‑plate readers and coordinated database checks are a go‑to tool for officers trying to trace stolen vehicles across jurisdictions, though the technology is far from perfect. As KETR recently reported, ALPR hits can generate leads that lead to recoveries, while privacy advocates keep warning about error rates and the need for strict oversight. In March 2025, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement detailed a multi‑state scheme that used forged documents to steal airport rentals and move vehicles across state lines, according to the FDLE.
What Investigators Allege Happens Next
Court records allege Rodriguez Collazo used different aliases to obtain other vehicles from rental companies at BNA and at airports around the country, authorities say. Officials have not publicly named any additional victims or said whether federal agencies have launched parallel investigations; the charges remain allegations until they are proved in court. Rodriguez Collazo is being held on a $262,500 bond and is scheduled for an initial appearance in Davidson County General Sessions Court, per WKRN.
What Renters Should Keep in Mind
Renters are advised to keep a copy of their rental agreement, make sure the name on the reservation matches the driver's license, and jot down the vehicle identification and license plate number at pickup. Major rental chains at BNA require a valid driver's license and credit card at the counter, which helps guard against disputes and is spelled out on company pickup pages like Alamo. If a rental goes missing, customers should contact the rental company immediately and file a police report with Nashville Airport Police and Metro Nashville Police so investigators can issue alerts and start recovery efforts.
