A 28-year-old Barefoot Bay man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to sell a stolen golf cart in Sebastian.
Zachary Muller was apprehended following a coordinated effort between the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sebastian Police Department.
The incident began on Friday, June 28, when a Blue Club Car DS golf cart was reported stolen from a residence on the 800 block of Pecan Circle in Brevard County. The golf cart was valued at $3,500.
Detectives from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, which led them to a Facebook Marketplace post for a golf cart that matched the stolen vehicle’s description. The post was made under the name “Wanda Smith,” a known associate of Muller.
Undercover detectives contacted “Wanda Smith” and arranged a meeting to purchase the golf cart in Sebastian. Muller had suggested the sale take place at the Infinity Smoke and Vape on 726 S. Fleming Street in Sebastian at 3 p.m.
With assistance from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and the Sebastian Police Department, law enforcement apprehended Muller as he arrived at the meeting spot. He attempted to escape on foot but was quickly apprehended by officers.
Muller sustained minor injuries during the arrest after fleeing into a wooded area and was subsequently transported to Cleveland Clinic for treatment.
At the hospital, detectives discovered that Muller was in possession of a cellphone. The phone rang when they called the number “Wanda Smith” had used to communicate via Facebook Messenger and text messages.
During questioning, Muller denied any involvement in the theft or burglary of the golf cart. He also claimed to be unaware of the text and Facebook messages related to the golf cart sale. Instead, Muller alleged that someone else had instructed him to bring the golf cart to the specified location for sale.
Muller was booked into the Indian River County Jail on several felony warrants before being transferred to the Brevard County Jail. He is currently being held on a $22,500 bond.
Muller faces charges of dealing in stolen property, burglary, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. He is also a suspect in multiple golf cart thefts in the Barefoot Bay area and has open criminal cases in both counties.
