ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A 1965 Ford Shelby Cobra that was taken at gunpoint during a test drive on Saturday was found intact Monday less than a mile from where it was stolen, but there was no sign of the man who stole it, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
A 24-year-old salesman with Bozard Ford in St. Augustine told deputies he was on a test drive with a man who was discussing the purchase of the classic sports car, which was listed for sale at $94,999.
As the two turned off of U.S. 1 North and approached Sherry Lane about 3 p.m., the man allegedly pulled a handgun and ordered the salesman to stop and get out of the vehicle, according to St. Johns County deputies.
The salesman called the Sheriff's Office and said the car was last seen heading toward U.S. 1 North.
Several deputies and an air unit searched for the car for several hours, but it was found. At 7:30 a.m. Monday, a resident reported seeing the car on the side of the road at the end of Stokes Landing Road with the keys on the front seat. That's less than one mile from where it was taken.
The car was taken to the Sheriff's Office impound lot to be processed for evidence.
"It is a fantastic vehicle; very special," said Jeff King, general manager of Bozard Ford. "We've raffled the vehicle off for a couple charity events that we've had and glad we're getting it back."
The man who stole the car is described by deputies as white, in his 50s, 6 feet tall, weighing 240 pounds, bald and has blue eyes. He wore dark-colored basketball shorts, a dark shirt and reading glasses and had a Bluetooth system around his neck with an earpiece, deputies said.
On Sunday, the Sheriff's Office released a rendering of the man (pictured, left).
Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the man or has any information about the investigation to call Detective J.D. McGinnis with the Major Crimes Unit at 904-824-8304. Deputies said to be eligible for a reward, call N.E. Florida Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS.