Hertz Employee Accused in Fort Lauderdale Airport Auto Theft Scheme

by Ryan Yousefi September 3, 2025

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Savannah Harsha Phillips {BSO}

A Hertz rental car employee at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is accused of helping steal more than a dozen vehicles in a coordinated late-night scheme, with some of the cars later used in crimes in other states.

According to Broward County Sheriff’s Office arrest records, Savannah Harsha Phillips, 24, of Sunrise, was arrested on August 26 and charged with one count of scheme to defraud and 13 counts of grand theft auto. Investigators claim that she, while working as a Hertz employee, allowed multiple vehicles to leave the airport rental center without authorization or proper documentation between May 16 and May 17.

Detectives said Phillips, who was working at the security booth, pretended to scan the cars before raising the barrier arm and letting them drive away. Surveillance video allegedly shows her working with three men, described as wearing a neon orange jacket, a yellow jacket, and an all-black outfit, who systematically walked into the garage and drove cars off the lot.

Investigators stated that the men returned on foot several times to retrieve additional vehicles, many of which were then allegedly used in crimes in multiple other states, including Texas and Virginia.

Hertz corporate security discovered the thefts after receiving calls from company offices in Texas and Virginia about cars registered to the Fort Lauderdale fleet that were being used in crimes. A review found that between 12 and 15 vehicles were missing, none of which had valid rental contracts.

The vehicles listed in the arrest warrant were taken between 11:03 p.m. and 12:05 a.m., a window investigators noted was among the quietest hours at the airport, a fact they believe was not a mistake.

When confronted with the evidence by Hertz managers on June 27, Phillips allegedly became angry, dismissed the accusations, and said, “Some cars might be there, or some might not.”

Records show she then told staff, “I did something for you, now you do something for me,” before abruptly quitting her job at Hertz.

Detective Jessica Lopez of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, who filed the affidavit, noted that Phillips had full access to Hertz vehicles, knew the keys were left inside, and used her knowledge of company procedures to facilitate the thefts. Hertz provided sworn statements, signed affidavits for each stolen vehicle, and delivered all surveillance footage to investigators.

Hertz has confirmed cooperation with law enforcement in Florida and other states where some of the stolen vehicles have since been linked to further crimes.

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Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi: Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiple outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.