A golf cart belonging to the owner of Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream that was stolen from the parking lot behind his Spanish Springs business has been recovered in Summerfield.
A Lady Lake Police detective called a Marion County sheriff’s deputy for help Tuesday after the missing golf cart was found at Golf Carts & More, located at 13315 S Hwy. 441 in Summerfield.
The white 2017 Yamaha golf cart with black-striped curtains and seat had been reported stolen July 16 by 67-year-old Gary Kenneth Uptegraft, who owns the popular ice cream shop in Spanish Springs. The cart, valued at $10,888, had been taken from the busy Spanish Springs parking lot off Paige Place in broad daylight, as Uptegraft called for help at 5:30 p.m. after realizing it was missing.
On Tuesday, the Lady Lake Police detective and Marion County sheriff’s deputy spoke with the owner of Golf Carts & More, who said a friend had approached him about a person wanting to sell the golf cart. He said he met with the seller at a residence in the area of Timucuan Road and Sunset Harbor Road in Summerfield, where he agreed to purchase the golf cart for $500. He said the seller also provided him with a receipt for his purchase of the cart, a sheriff’s office report states.
The deputy then checked out the golf cart and verified it was the one that had been reported stolen. It was towed by Carter’s Towing & Recovery and the detective said he would be contacting Uptegraft to let him know the cart had been found and where it was located.
This isn’t the first time thieves have targeted golf carts in Spanish Springs. Earlier this month, a brand-new Villager’s loaner cart was snatched while he was eating dinner at Ruby Tuesday. In February, a snowbird’s iPhone was stolen from a golf cart parked in front of Demshar’s restaurant. And in November 2018, when gas-powered Yamaha golf carts were being targeted, a part-time Villager’s cart was snatched while it was parked behind World of Beer.
