Driver Falsely Reports Stolen Truck After Hit And Run Crash

Daytona Beach, FL - A Daytona Beach man is now facing charges after law enforcement learned that he tried to report his truck stolen after he left the scene of an early morning crash. The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) say officers responded to a crash that occurred just before 5:30 Sunday morning (January 24th) at the intersection of North Peninsula Drive and Main Street. There, officers found a white Toyota with heavy front end damage on the passenger side of the vehicle, a damaged fence, and debris strewn about the sidewalk—including the front grill of a black Dodge pickup truck. Officers spoke to the driver of the white Toyota—who was visibly shaken and upset from the crash—who said they were headed south on Peninsula towards Main Street with a green light when the crash occurred. According to the woman, a black truck came at her head-on from the northbound lanes of Peninsula and struck her car. Later that morning, officers discovered a black Dodge pickup truck with front end damage parked in the driveway of a Harvey Avenue home, less than a mile from the crash site. Police soon discovered that the truck belonged to 24-year-old Justin Aponte. According to a report provided by the DBPD, investigators found out that Aponte reported the truck stolen around 15 minutes after the crash. Per his narrative, Aponte told dispatchers that someone had "jumped him" and stole his vehicle. Officers eventually met with Aponte at the corner of Beach Street and Madison Avenue. According to their report, the officer requested that Aponte write a sworn written statement about what happened. However, the officer warned Aponte that he believed he was lying to police—an officer noted in their report that he told Aponte he believed he was falsely reporting his vehicle stolen in order to avoid the consequences of his actions at the crash scene. Police also noted that Aponte was visibly nervous and started shaking with a trembling voice, claiming he was defensive and began speaking over officers as they tried to talk to him. A friend that was also with Aponte as he spoke with police additionally claimed that he found Aponte face down with no wallet and keys and further stated that the truck was missing. However, police soon met with Aponte’s girlfriend, who said Aponte was hanging out with his friends when she asked him to come pick her up off of Valencia Avenue. Then, as the two traveled through the intersection at Main Street and Peninsula, a car came out of nowhere, leading to the crash. She further stated that, in the shock of the moment, they decided to leave the scene as Aponte does not have insurance. Because of her detailed account of the crash, which included minor details that were not provided to her, such as the broken fence, officers confirmed that Aponte’s account of the crash and robbery were false. Officers also met with another friend of who further corroborated the girlfriend’s account of the crash, further proving that Aponte’s statement was false. Aponte was later arrested and charged thrice with leaving the scene of an accident with damage to property, along with leaving the scene of an accident with injury and misuse of the 911 system. Officers also searched his vehicle and found his wallet—which contained over $300—and his phone, once again proving that his statements were false.