File #: I-2023-023129/I-2023-023140
Call Type: Stolen Vehicle/Narcotics Trafficking
Date: 07/12/2023
Time: 3:30 PM
On July 12th, 2023, at approximately 3:30 PM, the Guttenberg Police Department was contacted by
members of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida, requesting assistance with an ongoing investigation of a
stolen motor vehicle. According to the information found during their investigation, they were able to utilize the
vehicle's GPS tracking function located on the 2021 Land Rover, which was stolen out of their jurisdiction on July
5th, 2023. The vehicle's GPS showed that the vehicle was located somewhere on Abbie Court in Guttenberg.
Members of the Guttenberg Police Department's Patrol Division immediately responded to the area near Abbie
Court. The owner of the stolen vehicle was able to activate the vehicle's panic alarm remotely. With the owner's
assistance, detectives of the Guttenberg Police Department's Criminal Investigations Bureau were able to secure a
search warrant to retrieve the stolen motor vehicle. During the court-authorized search warrant, the 2021 Land
Rover was located, and it was uncovered that the home was being utilized to traffic a large amount of narcotics.
Along with the Land Rover, our agency recovered over 25 pounds of suspected Marijuana, over 6 ounces of
suspected hallucinogenic mushrooms containing Psilocybin, and various instruments utilized to manufacture,
package, distribute, and dispense narcotics. In addition to the items recovered above, our agency also seized
United States currency believed to be proceeds of illicit narcotics trafficking.
As a result of this investigation, Francis D. Rodriguez, 53, of Guttenberg, was arrested and charged with the
following: Receiving Stolen Property (2C:20-7A), Manufacturing/Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance
(2C:35-5B(4), Manufacturing/Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance (2C:35-5B(10)(A), Distribution of
Narcotics within 500 feet of a Public Park (2C:35-7.1A), Failure to Make Lawful Disposition (2C:35-10C),
Distribution/Manufacturing of Drug Paraphernalia (2C:36-3), Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous
Substance Production Facility (2C:35-4), Distribution of Narcotics within 1,000 feet of School Property (2C:35-7A).
At this time, the investigation remains ongoing. If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident,
they are encouraged to contact the Guttenberg Police Department at 201-868-3300 or email:
1. Sgt. Aleksandar Ramadanovic aramadanovic@guttenbergpolice.org
2. Det. Sgt. Marcin Rysiec mrysiec@guttenbergpolice.org
