What started as a routine sales pitch at a northwest Miami Ford lot turned into a grand-theft case on Wednesday evening, when deputies say a 23-year-old customer took a pickup for a test drive and simply did not bring it back.
According to an arrest affidavit, 23-year-old Daniela Aguirre was later found, arrested and booked on a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle after authorities say the supposedly standard test drive of a 2021 white Ram went off the rails.
From Sales Visit To Suspected Theft
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, as reported by WSVN, states that a salesman told deputies Aguirre came to the dealership to check out a Dodge Ram and took a 2021 white Ram out for a test drive. The document says she brought the truck back to the lot, at which point the salesman stepped out of the vehicle.
That is when, according to the affidavit, Aguirre allegedly slid into the driver’s seat and drove off in the Ram instead of heading back inside to talk numbers. Deputies later ran a records check on the Ford Fusion she had driven to the dealership and found that car had been reported stolen in a separate case, the report states.
What Aguirre Told Investigators
Aguirre told investigators she "believed she had permission to take the truck" and said she planned to show it to her father, according to the affidavit cited by WSVN. She also said she had bought the Ford Fusion months earlier but had not yet registered it in her name.
Deputies located her along Northwest Seventh Avenue, took her into custody and transported her to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Arrest paperwork lists a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle, according to the documents reported by WSVN.
What The Charge Could Mean
Under Florida law, taking a motor vehicle is not treated as some minor mix-up. Florida Statutes §812.014 labels motor-vehicle theft as grand theft of the third degree, and Chapter 775 sets possible penalties that can include up to five years in prison and fines. The exact outcome, if Aguirre is convicted, would depend on the specific facts of the case and whether she has any prior record, as outlined in the state statutes.
Test Drives Turning Into Police Reports
This is not the first time a South Florida test drive has ended with flashing lights instead of a signed contract. In a May 2024 incident, Local 10 reported that a woman allegedly drove off during a test drive and later jumped into a lake while trying to flee police, a reminder of how fast a casual look at a new ride can turn into a chase scene.
Dealers Tighten The Rules
Stories like these have some dealers rethinking how freely they hand over the keys. After a separate case, one dealership explained to CBS Miami that it now requires identification up front, verifies insurance and makes sure a staff member rides along on road tests. The idea is simple: reduce the chances that a would-be buyer turns into a disappearing act the moment a salesperson steps out of the car.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office says the investigation in Aguirre's case is ongoing, and prosecutors could adjust the charges as it moves through the courts. Hoodline will update this story when public filings or court dates become available.
