A South Florida woman is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say she conspired with three men to steal a dozen vehicles from Hertz while working security at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s rental car center.
Charges Filed
Savannah Harsha Phillips, 24, of Sunrise, was arraigned on 13 counts including organized fraud, second-degree grand theft, and third-degree grand theft. Prosecutors allege she allowed drivers to bypass standard exit checks on May 16 and 17, during which 12 vehicles were taken from the Hertz garage overnight.
How the Scheme Allegedly Worked
According to a Broward Sheriff’s Office report, Phillips used her position as a security worker to wave vehicles through without requiring identification or properly scanning their information. A detective wrote in the arrest affidavit that she was aware keys had been left inside the vehicles and allegedly timed the thefts during the slowest business hours.
Vehicles Involved
The stolen vehicles reportedly included multiple Kia K4 sedans, several Nissan Altimas, a Toyota Corolla, a Hyundai Sonata, and a Nissan Sentra. At least two of the vehicles were later linked to crimes outside Florida, including incidents in Texas and Virginia.
Arrest and Bond
Phillips was arrested at her Sunrise home on August 26. She is currently being held at the Paul Rein Detention Facility on $62,000 bond, though a judge has required her to demonstrate the funds do not originate from illegal activity.
Case Moving Forward
Court records show Phillips was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and later relocated to South Florida. Her next court hearing is scheduled for December 1 before Broward County Circuit Judge Thomas J. Coleman. If convicted, she could face significant prison time under Florida’s theft and fraud statutes. Hertz has declined to comment on the ongoing case.