Suspected car thief Franklin Sanders has had a busy couple of days. 

Last Friday, Feb. 16, Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives in Lauderdale Lakes arrested Sanders for the grand theft of a Mercedes Maybach.

On Monday, Feb. 19, Sanders was released on bond from BSO’s Joseph V. Conte Jail Facility.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, BSO’s Burglary Apprehension Team (B.A.T.) worked alongside law enforcement partners in Broward and across several Florida counties to arrest Sanders for the grand theft of a 2020 BMW sedan. 

According to detectives, Sanders has been involved in previous incidents of high-end auto theft. In Friday’s incident, BSO detectives received information about a possible stolen Mercedes. At the scene, detectives observed three subjects attempting to disconnect the vehicle’s GPS. The three subjects then drove to a location in Sunrise where BSO detectives worked alongside Sunrise Police to safely stop the vehicle and arrest the subjects, including Sanders. The investigation revealed that the car was stolen from the city of Miami. In this case, BSO arrested Sanders on charges of grand theft auto, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief and several other charges. 

After his release from jail, detectives say Sanders was back behind the wheel of a stolen car within days. 

On Wednesday, Davie Police requested assistance from BSO’s B.A.T. regarding a BMW in their town that was reported stolen out of Winter Park, FL. B.A.T. detectives tracked the vehicle as it traveled through Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. According to detectives, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s office deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, however, the driver failed to stop. The driver of the BMW fled to a location in Osceola County, where deputies took Sanders and a 16-year-old male into custody on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, unoccupied burglary of a structure and other charges. 

High-end auto theft is an ongoing problem. Detectives advise vehicle owners to take the following precautions to protect against car thieves or car burglars:

• Never leave your car doors unlocked.

• Never leave your car keys or fobs in your car.

• Never leave valuables in your car.

• Never leave your garage door opener in your car.