Man arrested after driving stolen U-Haul for 16 miles, causing scene at Lehigh Acres Walmart

A Lehigh Acres man faces several charges after authorities say he stole a U-Haul pickup and fled into the woods near the Lehigh Acres Walmart on Wednesday.

Carlos Alberto Rodriguez, 30, faces charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle; fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer; reckless driving; resisting without violence; and driving with a suspended license.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office said sheriff's deputies on Wednesday were alerted to the location of a stolen U-Haul pickup.

A U-Haul representative actively relayed the vehicle's location to deputies, which indicated it was at the Fort Myers McDonald’s, 14985 Tamiami Trail, the sheriff's office said.

When sheriff's deputies arrived, they found the stolen pickup along with Rodriguez in the driver's seat. As deputies asked Rodriguez for his ID, he turned on the truck and took off, authorities said.

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As Rodriguez fled, the sheriff's office's aviation unit began to track the stolen pickup's movements, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said Rodriguez drove into oncoming traffic on Lee Boulevard, in Lehigh Acres, ultimately parking the stolen pickup at the Walmart.

The drive from the Fort Myers McDonald's is just over 16 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

Authorities said Rodriguez ran through the store, dropped two bags inside the establishment and exited through a backdoor into woods.

During their probe, sheriff's deputies found key fobs from other vehicles; part of an electric vehicle charger; and a trespass notice issued to Rodriguez by Fort Myers police.

Rodriguez remained at the Lee County Jail on Thursday morning without bond set. He is next due in court Aug. 26 for his arraignment.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran , Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews .

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Man arrested after driving stolen U-Haul for 16 miles, causing scene at Lehigh Acres Walmart