Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Charlette Joleen Rothgeb, 20, and Neverson Lavaion White, 19, both of Ocala, were arrested yesterday at the Walmart on Waldo Road after allegedly stealing a car in Ocala.

A yellow 2021 Honda Civic Type R was reportedly stolen out of Ocala earlier on the morning of June 11, and the suspects were described as a heavy-set white female and a black male with dreads.

Gainesville Police Department officers contacted Loss Prevention Officers at Walmart, who said Rothgeb and White were walking away from the stolen car and into the Walmart on Waldo Road (1800 NE 12th Avenue). Officers detained the pair inside Walmart without incident, and White reportedly had keys to the stolen car in his pocket; White’s wallet was also reportedly found inside the stolen car.

Post Miranda, Rothgeb reportedly said she and White had met the victim the previous evening, and they had engaged in illegal street racing with the victim. After “hours of racing through the city of Ocala,” she said, they met the victim, who began discussing ways to make money with them. She said the victim offered to get a hotel room for the night for her and White, and she was under the impression that the victim would not be staying in the hotel room, but she said he was acting strangely in the hotel room and making sexual gestures toward her. She said that after some time, the victim asked her to go take a shower and then left the hotel room; while he was away, she said, she and White decided to steal his car.

Post Miranda, White reportedly admitted stealing the car and said he drove the car, with Rothgeb following in his car.

Rothgeb has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. She has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $20,000, which may be waived if Rothgeb qualifies for day reporting.

White has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. He has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $20,000, which may be waived if White qualifies for day reporting.

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.