A Kissimmee resident, Manuel Orlando Gonzalez, Jr., has been arrested following a dirt bike theft in Polk County, Florida. The incident unfolded after a Davenport resident arranged to sell his $7,000 dirt bike through Facebook Marketplace. The buyer, identified as Gonzalez, requested a test drive and never returned, prompting an investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives quickly identified Gonzalez, 23, as the suspect. He had a prior arrest for a similar crime in Haines City in 2023. Using a photo lineup, the victim identified Gonzalez as the thief. The detective working the case noticed similarities with another unsolved theft from November 2025 in Poinciana, where a $7,500 dirt bike was stolen under similar circumstances.
On June 5, 2026, law enforcement located Gonzalez driving a black Chrysler 300 in Poinciana. During the traffic stop, he was arrested and found in possession of cannabis resin. Gonzalez now faces several charges, including second-degree felony dealing in stolen property, grand theft, unlawful use of a communication device, possession of cannabis resin, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Community Impact
This incident highlights the importance of caution when engaging in online marketplace transactions. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge residents to use designated safe exchange zones for such meetups to prevent similar crimes.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
