Ohio Man Faces Vehicle Theft Charges
WARSAW — An Ohio man faces vehicle theft charges after allegedly failing to return a rental vehicle.
Cameron Harshaw, 27, Kettering, Ohio, was arrested for vehicle theft, a level 6 felony.
On Dec. 7, Winona Lake Police officers conducted a traffic stop on US 30 and South CR 450E. The vehicle was initially pulled over for speeding, 71 mph in a 45 mph zone. During the traffic stop, officers discovered the black 2019 Toyota Corolla driven by Harshaw was reported stolen by Avis/Budget Car Rental, said the affidavit of probable cause.
During an interview with police, Harshaw said he rented the Toyota Carolla after a crash totaled his vehicle in September. Harshaw failed to return the vehicle on time when it was due Oct. 16. A recovery order was issued on the vehicle by the rental company, said the affidavit. The vehicle was nearly two months late in returning back to Avis/Budget at the time of the traffic stop.
Harshaw told police he was notified by the rental company’s Dayton, Ohio-based car rental recovery team via Facebook Messenger. He showed the message to police, said the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, the message explained the car was “critically overdue and the rental agreement was no longer valid.” The message also notified Harshaw that a recovery order had been issued and the vehicle may have already been reported stolen; anyone driving the at the time car may be arrested.
On Dec. 7, Harshaw was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail with a bond of $5,250 surety and cash.