Suspect in custody following I-75 boat chase

NAPLES, Fla. — One person is in custody following a 12-mile early morning chase involving a truck towing a boat along Interstate 75, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

Daniel Rodriguez was arrested after leading deputies on a chase that involved law enforcement from Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties.

Rodriguez hot-wired a Ford F350 in Tampa that belonged to Tony Lozano and his New Smyrna-based business, Attention to Detail Power Washing, according to police reports.

“Why would you do this? Why would you do this to someone who works hard? I work hard for everything I have.” Lozano said.

Rodriguez also stole another person’s boat after he fled with Lozano’s truck.

The pursuit began around 2 a.m. at mile marker 109 and ended at mile marker 97.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office called the Collier Sheriff’s office requesting help with the stolen truck and boat that crossed county lines. An unsuccessful traffic stop led to the Ford F350 rushing off with the boat, according to deputies.

The Ford was speeding at around 86 mph in a 70 mph zone, but stop sticks deflated the tires at mile marker 101. The Ford reduced speed and crashed into a guardrail at mile marker 97.

Rodriguez was taken into custody following the crash, deputies said.

The boat and motor are worth approximately $100,000. No injuries were reported, and there was no traffic on the road at the time of the incident, according to deputies.

This is the second time the boat has been stolen in the last month, according to police reports.

Rodriguez is facing two charges of grand theft and recklessly eluding law enforcement.

No bond has been set.