Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two individuals from Ocala, Charlette Joleen Rothgeb, 20, and Neverson Lavaion White, 19, were taken into custody at the Walmart on Waldo Road following allegations of car theft.

A yellow 2021 Honda Civic Type R was allegedly stolen from Ocala earlier on the morning of June 11. The suspects were described to the authorities as comprising a heavy-set white female and a black male with dreadlocks.

Upon contacting Walmart’s Loss Prevention Officers, officers from the Gainesville Police Department learned that Rothgeb and White had been observed walking away from the reported stolen vehicle and heading into the Walmart premises on Waldo Road (1800 NE 12th Avenue). The officers apprehended the duo inside the store without any trouble. White was said to have the stolen car’s keys in his pocket, and his wallet was reportedly found inside the vehicle.

Post Miranda, Rothgeb reportedly said she and White had met the victim the previous evening, and they had engaged in illegal street racing with the victim. After “hours of racing through the city of Ocala,” she said, they met the victim, who began discussing ways to make money with them. She said the victim offered to get a hotel room for the night for her and White, and she was under the impression that the victim would not be staying in the hotel room, but she said he was acting strangely in the hotel room and making sexual gestures toward her. She said that after some time, the victim asked her to go take a shower and then left the hotel room; while he was away, she said, she and White decided to steal his car.

Post Miranda, White reportedly admitted stealing the car and said he drove the car, with Rothgeb following in his car.

Rothgeb has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. She has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $20,000, which may be waived if Rothgeb qualifies for day reporting.

White has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. He has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $20,000, which may be waived if White qualifies for day reporting.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.