A Mix-Up at the Dealership Leads to a Terrifying Arrest
Clerical Error Sparks False Stolen Car Report
A clerical error at a car dealership triggered a terrifying incident that led to the arrest of an innocent man at gunpoint. Jamie Rodgers, the victim, was driving a loaner car while his own was being repaired. Due to a misplaced sheet of paper, the dealership mistakenly reported the loaner stolen.
Heart-Pounding Encounter on the Freeway
In June 2021, Rodgers found himself surrounded by Orange County police officers with assault rifles drawn. He recalls, “My heart was pounding, my palms were sweating.” The officers, acting on information that he was “armed and dangerous,” approached him aggressively.
Panic and Confusion
Rodgers was handcuffed and held for 10 minutes before the officers realized the car wasn’t stolen. The experience left him traumatized, forcing him to resign from his job as an athletic trainer due to PTSD.
Legal Recourse
Rodgers has filed a lawsuit against the dealership for negligence. His attorney, Scott Harlan, emphasized the potential for deadly consequences in such situations. “An unintentional body movement can lead to death,” he stated.
Misplaced Documents and Mistaken Identity
- The sheet of paper that contained the loaner car’s information was lost behind a filing cabinet.
- When the dealership received unpaid toll bills, they wrongly concluded the car had been stolen.
Aftermath and Career Change
- Rodgers has been forced to pursue a new career in real estate.
- He has not received any comment from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Car Pros Kia Huntington Beach, or his attorney at press time.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of accurate record-keeping and the consequences of clerical errors. What began as a simple paperwork mix-up escalated into a traumatic and life-altering ordeal for an innocent man.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
