A Clermont man was arrested after trying to take a $2,500 automated lawn mower that he claimed to have thought was scrap.
Deputies responded to a complaint of a suspicious person, later identified as 81-year-old Enrique Olivia Rodriguez, at 862 High Pointe Cir., Minneola, at 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, the deputies met with a woman who saw Rodriguez drive up to her neighbor’s house and try to steal his robotic lawn mower. He pulled up in a white truck with a trailer, got out and watched the automated mower cut the grass while he smoked a cigarette. He picked up the mower and tried to put it on his trailer before she yelled at him to stop, the report said.
The owner of the mower advised that it was automated and normally did not stop until it returned to its charger. He talked to Rodriguez who stated, “It’s not a problem,” as he thought he was picking up scrap. The mower was a Mammotion Luba valued at $2,500. It was dusty but in good condition, not damaged enough to be thrown away, the report said.
Rodriguez stated he was driving around the neighborhood looking for scrap to pick up. He saw the mower sitting still near the road by the mailbox. He picked it up but put it back down due to the woman yelling at him, the report said.
The native of Cuba was ultimately arrested on charge of grand theft. He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,500 bond.