In a surprising turn of events in Gainesville, Florida, a woman found herself in police custody following allegations of truck theft under unusual circumstances. Melinda Marie Waters, aged 42, was apprehended after reportedly taking a vehicle from a man who had stopped to assist her at the roadside.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies, the incident unfolded on November 24 at around 3:30 p.m. The victim was driving along County Road 231 when he noticed Waters lying in a ditch. Concerned for her well-being, he stopped, along with other drivers, to see if she needed aid. In an attempt to call for help, the victim approached another driver, leaving his truck unattended. Seizing the opportunity, Waters allegedly climbed into his vehicle and sped off.

The authorities promptly issued a BOLO, or “be on the lookout,” for the stolen truck. A deputy soon spotted the vehicle heading north on NW 34th Boulevard, just below U.S. Highway 441. The deputy trailed the truck until additional units arrived, culminating in a traffic stop near the 7400 block of NW 13th Street around 4:30 p.m.

Once in custody, Waters provided an alternate account of the events. Post-Miranda, she claimed that the truck owner had offered her a ride after seeing her running alongside the road. She alleged that upon stopping at a gas station—whose location she couldn’t specify—the owner exited, leaving the keys behind and saying, “You can go.”

Post Miranda, Waters reportedly said the truck’s owner had given her a ride after he saw her running down the road, and after they pulled into a gas station (she reportedly could not describe the location of the gas station), the truck’s owner got out, leaving the key in the truck, and said, “You can go.”

Waters has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. She has no criminal history and told court officials that she has been in the area for about two weeks. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $15,000 but ordered that bail could be waived if she is accepted into 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.