Police: Man posed as valet attendant, stole luxury cars in Daytona Beach

Giovanni Salletti, 43, charged with 2 counts of grand theft auto

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A man is facing charges after Daytona Beach police said he posed as a valet attendant at the Caribbean Jack's Restaurant and stole two luxury cars in August.

"Any business this can happen to, you just don't know. Who would expect it?" said Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.

Police said 43-year-old Giovanni Salletti stole his first high-end car Aug. 17 around 8 p.m.

"He told (the victim) he would valet the cars, she gave him the keys and he said he would bring the valet ticket to her table. She went into the restaurant and he drove off," said Chitwood.

Police said Salletti got away in a 2008 Mercedes Benz and came back just days later to steal again.

On Aug. 22, police said an officer spotted Salletti looking suspicious, took down his information and left just hours before Salletti struck again. Police said this time, Salletti grabbed keys from the valet kiosk and drove away in a 2008 BMW worth $85,000. It wasn't until police got ahold of surveillance video that they put two and two together.

"Once officers got that video and when the officer recognized him from the field stop, it came together very quickly," said Chitwood.

Not only did police track down Salletti, they said they recovered both cars at his apartment complex.

"That's some of the dangers of using a valet service. There is always somebody lurking and jerking around there that can make you a victim," said Chitwood.

Salletti is in the Volusia County Jail charged with two counts of grand theft auto. Police said he was already wanted on a probation violation for carjacking.


About the Author:

Loren Korn is a native Texan who joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2014. She was born and raised in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Journalism.

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