A Babson Park man was arrested on Sunday after allegedly misusing 911, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, and providing false information.
Todd Michael Motis, DOB 4/28/78, reportedly admits that after initially telling law enforcement his vehicle was stolen, he later admits to crashing the Tesla, causing property damage, leaving the scene, then calling to make a false report.
The following is the verbatim copy of the arrest affidavit in this case. Lake Wales Daily provides the affidavit in its entirety so that the reader may draw their own conclusions regarding the incident reported, in this case, by Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The document is offered from the point of view of the arresting officer.
“On March 30, 2025 at approximately 0545 hours, I responded to the intersection of Crooked Lake Dr N. and Scenic Hwy N. I arrived and observed a black Tesla Model S bearing FL tag # REDACTED in a wooded area.
“Evidence at the scene showed the black Tesla crashed through a stop sign before crashing into trees. No one was at the vehicle at the time of the crash. All attempts to locate the owner of the black Tesla, Todd Michael Motis, were met with negative results.
“On March 30, 2025 at approximately 0918 hours Motis called 911 to report his black Tesla stolen. (Three deputies) arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation for a stolen vehicle.
“I made contact with Motis at his residence located at REDACTED. Motis told me his vehicle was stolen from his residence sometime during the night. I asked Motis to complete a sworn written statement. Motis agreed. Motis wrote in his statement he was not sure where his vehicle was located and last saw the black Tesla around dusk the day prior. Motis woke up this morning and realized his black Tesla was missing from his residence. Motis stated he did not know where his vehicle may be.
“During my investigation Motis told me the vehicle was not stolen and he crashed the black Tesla on Scenic Hwy N at the intersection of Crooked Lake Dr N. but did not want to be arrested for leaving the scene of a car crash.
“I read Motis his Miranda Warning from my agency issued Miranda Warning card. Motis told me he called 911 to report his vehicle stolen so he would not be arrested for leaving the scene of the vehicle crash. Motis told me he was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash and no one else was inside the vehicle. Motis stated he did not know he crashed into a stop sign, he only knew of the crash into the trees. Motis stated he knew where he left his vehicle and it was not stolen.
“Based on the time utilized from the 911 call taker, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher, and three deputies conducting an investigation at the scene, I determined Motis knowingly, willfully, and unlawfully dialed 911 to report a false report of a stolen vehicle which cost more than $100 to investigate.
“I also determined, based on the damage to the stop sign, the black Tesla, and the trees, Motis should have known he crashed his vehicle. Motis made no attempt to report the crash to law enforcement. Motis knowingly, willfully, and unlawfully left the scene of the crash which resulted in property damage.
“Motis was arrested for Misuse of 911 Costing over $100, Leaving the Scene of a Vehicle Crash Involving Property Damage, False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer During an Investigation.”
