By Staff

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 42-year-old woman, Melinda Marie Waters, was taken into custody on allegations of truck theft from a Good Samaritan who stopped to assist her at the roadside.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched around 3:30 p.m. on November 24, to the 13100 block of NW County Road 231. The victim reported he was traveling south on CR 231 when he noticed a woman lying in a ditch. Stopping to offer aid, he joined other motorists who had pulled over. While he was occupied speaking with another driver about calling 911, Waters allegedly seized the moment, climbed into his truck, and drove off.

A “be on the lookout” alert was issued, and a deputy soon spotted the vehicle heading north on NW 34th Boulevard, just beneath U.S. Highway 441. The deputy trailed the truck until additional officers could assist, eventually stopping it near the 7400 block of NW 13th Street around 4:30 p.m.

After being read her rights, Waters claimed the truck’s owner had offered her a ride when he found her running alongside the road. She stated that once they stopped at a gas station—details of which she could not recall—the owner exited the truck, leaving the keys inside, and told her, “You can go.”

Charged with grand theft auto, Waters faces legal proceedings. With no prior criminal record and having been in the area for only two weeks, Judge Meshon Rawls set her bail at $15,000 but mentioned the possibility of waiving it should she enter Mental Health Court.

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.