Deputies: Dog dies in hot car after thief ditches stolen vehicle

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man is facing charges after deputies said he ditched a stolen car that had the victim's dog inside and left the animal to die.

Marion County sheriff's deputies said Benjamin Garcia, 34, first stole $2,460 worth of electronics from Sonny's BBQ in Belleview on July 28.

Deputies said that same day, a woman left her car running outside a Boost Mobile store in Ocala. Her poodle Chihuahua mix was inside the vehicle when Garcia hopped in the car and drove away, according to deputies.

The victim's car was found at a towing company, which was asked to remove the car from a Pilot gas station.

Her dog was found dead on the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle.

Detectives obtained security footage from the Sonny's BBQ and posted that video on the Marion County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

Garcia was identified by family members in Connecticut a few days later.

Deputies tracked Garcia down at a home in Marion Oaks, where they said he told them he stole the electronics and the vehicle.

He denied knowing there was a dog in the car.

Garcia is being held in jail on a $25,000 bond.

Cox Media Group