On April 11, 2024, the Victim in this case met with Aderiquis Surmelin and Hatori Humphries of St. Petersburg at a restaurant in Lakeland to sell his 2016 Nissan Maxima. The deal was originally brokered via Offer Up. Surmelin and Humphries arrived in Lakeland by Uber. Surmelin gave a fake name and paid the victim with a fraudulent check. The Victim soon realized the check was falsified and tried to find the suspect. The Victim found his vehicle advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Surmelin used the same social media name and the Victim’s original photos of the car to post it for sale. The Victim then called LPD with all the information to report the fraud/theft.
LPD officers and detectives quickly brokered another deal with Surmelin to purchase the car. On April 12, 2024, Surmelin and Humphries traveled back to Lakeland in the stolen vehicle to meet for the sale where they were arrested. Humphries was charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Surmelin was charged with Use of Another’s Identification without Consent over $5,000, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Dealing in Stolen Property, Dealing in Stolen Property Using the Internet, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, Uttering a False Instrument, Criminal Conspiracy and Possession of Marijuana.
This is just one example of all the great work our officers do every day!