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One arrested in central Florida Craigslist stolen vehicle thefts

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County sheriff's detectives are working to catch those that they said have been reselling stolen vehicles on Craigslist.
 
Investigators said they believe they have caught one of the suspected thieves.
 
Miguel Casanova returned home from a Memorial Day weekend away to find his Ford truck missing from the driveway.
 
"It was shock," he said.
 
After missing two days of work, he got the truck back.
 
A Marion County man who got what he thought was a great deal through a Craigslist ad went to register the vehicle and found out it was stolen.
 
"(They did it) for a quick buck and they probably don't understand they're hurting people by doing that," Casanova said.
 
Detectives said Lavan Joyner came to central Florida from Texas over Memorial Day weekend. They said he was arrested as he was trying to sell one of the stolen vehicles. They are still trying to identify and find a man they believe to be associated with Joyner.
 
Investigators said they believe the car thieves took in about $30,000 cash in one weekend by stealing vehicles, making new keys and selling them cheap on Craigslist.
   
"It would have to be someone who had access to a car dealership to cut keys or a locksmith service that's able to cut vehicle keys," Orange County sheriff's detective Tim Nazzaro said.
 
Detectives said eight vehicles were stolen, but three were recovered before being advertised for sale.
 
"I hope they catch every one of them," Casanova said.
 
Detectives said they want anyone who has information about Joyner or the thefts to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)
 
Investigators said those buying the cars should have been aware that they were getting phony titles, because they were photocopies that, thanks to a built-in security feature, displayed the word "void" all over the title.

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