Couple Stopped at Gunpoint Due to Rental Confusion | Carscoops

Couple Stopped at Gunpoint Due to Rental Confusion | Carscoops

      A straightforward vacation turned into a situation involving handcuffs and a lawsuit due to a rental mishap that went horribly awry.

      Just 20 hours ago, a California couple found themselves with police guns pointed at them and flashing lights surrounding them during their trip. This was followed by a lawsuit that uncovered deficiencies in the rental company's procedures, with emotional repercussions lasting well beyond the legal resolution.

      What began as a simple family visit in California morphed into a troubling episode for one couple, as their rented vehicle incident escalated to involve drawn firearms, handcuffs, and a protracted legal battle lasting over a year.

      The couple reached a $350,000 settlement with the rental car company after they were cuffed and arrested by police in early 2023, based on the mistaken belief that the minivan they had rented was stolen.

      On January 29, 2023, while visiting family in San Diego, Sheena and Cole Burie were confronted by officers with guns drawn. They had no knowledge that the van they had rented from Payless Car Rental was listed as stolen.

      What Went Wrong?

      Following their arrest, Oceanside police reached out to Payless and discovered that the rental company had initially reported the minivan as stolen on January 4. Although it had been returned days later, Payless failed to notify the police, allowing the vehicle to remain active in the Stolen Vehicle System.

      Consequently, the Buries decided to sue Payless Car Rental for negligence and emotional distress. After several months of legal proceedings, the case finally went to trial on October 7.

      As reported by NBC 7, both parties delivered their opening statements, and unexpectedly, they reached a settlement within a 15-minute recess, concluding the trial as quickly as it began.

      The Long-Term Effects

      Sheena Burie later expressed that the incident left profound emotional wounds and contributed to their marital breakdown.

      "My emotional state was completely unhinged," she reflected. “Cole didn’t know how to handle it; he sort of shut down. We could never find common ground, which ultimately led to our separation and lengthy divorce."

      In response, Payless Car Rental apologized to the couple and refunded them for the rental costs.

      “Payless and its independent franchises have measures in place to avoid unnecessary notifications to retrieve rental vehicles,” the company stated. “Regrettably, these protocols failed in this isolated instance. Our franchisee has expressed regret to Mr. and Mrs. Burie and refunded their rental charges.”

      This incident serves as yet another warning for both companies and customers regarding the potential consequences of communication breakdowns within systems.

Couple Stopped at Gunpoint Due to Rental Confusion | Carscoops Couple Stopped at Gunpoint Due to Rental Confusion | Carscoops

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Couple Stopped at Gunpoint Due to Rental Confusion | Carscoops

An uncomplicated getaway turned into handcuffs and a legal battle after a rental error took a disastrous turn.