Specialty Cars of Sarasota Owner Faces Fraud Charges

The owner of Specialty Cars of Sarasota is facing fraud charges after detectives determined that she obtained titles for cars she didn't own, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Marcella Gilliland, 61, of 946 Pleasant Estate Drive, Sarasota faces four felony counts of uttering forged instruments and two counts of title fraud, according to the sheriff's office.

The owner of Florida Pony Cars contacted deputies who said Gilliland, owner of Specialty Cars of Sarasota, 7150 S. Tamiami Trail, stole the titles to a 1965 Ford Thunderbird and a 1955 Chevy Nomad, according to the sheriff's office.

The owner of Florida Pony Cars told deputies that while at his dealership, Gilliland walked into the dealership, reached over the counter, took a stack of papers, including the titles, refused to give them back, and walked out of the office, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Detectives investigating the allegations reviewed paperwork and eBay conversations including bank transfers, which confirmed Florida Pony Cars purchased both vehicles from their respective sellers, according to the sheriff's office. Gilliland was told not to transfer the titles to her company because she did not have proof of ownership, but she proceeded to do so on Sept. 6, according to the sheriff's office.

Gilliland's charges stem for her signing two vehicle identification numbers verification affidavits when she did not verify the VINs, and and for obtaining titles for cars she didn't own, according to the sheriff's office.