MONROE COUNTY, FL — In a recent case, Jose Antonio Mendez was adjudicated guilty following a no contest plea to Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle stemming from the theft of a Dodge Ram pickup truck from a Key Largo rental car business.

Circuit Judge James Morgan sentenced Mendez to 120 days in the Monroe County Jail, with credit for 29 days previously served. He was also ordered to complete 24 months of probation, perform 25 hours of community service, complete an anti-theft class, and pay a total of $933 in court costs, prosecution costs, investigative costs, and supervision fees.

The charge arose from a July 31, 2024 incident in which suspects gained access to a vehicle key drop box after business hours and stole a Dodge Ram pickup truck belonging to a Key Largo rental car company. Surveillance footage captured suspects arriving in a Nissan pickup truck before one individual approached the key drop box while concealing his identity and a second individual drove away in the stolen vehicle.

Investigators later connected Mendez to the crime through surveillance footage, SunPass records, interviews, and other investigative efforts. The stolen vehicle was ultimately recovered in Miami-Dade County.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said, “Property crimes are rarely as simple as they appear. This investigation required patience, extensive follow-up work, and collaboration between multiple agencies to connect numerous pieces of evidence. Vehicle thefts create significant financial losses and consume substantial public resources. This case demonstrates that those who engage in these crimes will be identified and held accountable. It is also a reminder that failing to successfully complete probation could result in additional incarceration.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Melissa Simmons.

MONROE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The Office of the State Attorney for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, led by State Attorney Dennis W. Ward, is committed to upholding the law through ethical prosecution, collaboration with investigative partners, and the pursuit of justice for the citizens of Monroe County.

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