- A white Rolls-Royce Cullinan was totaled after crashing into a Checkers drive-thru.
- The luxury SUV was stolen from a Hilton resort just six miles from the scene.
- A 21-year-old suspect escaped uninjured and was later arrested by authorities.
If you’re looking for a story that captures the unique flavor of Florida’s late-night antics, this one checks most boxes: A stolen white Rolls-Royce Cullinan plowed into a Checkers drive-thru, leaving the SUV in ruins, the building busted up, and everyone miraculously unharmed. The alleged thief was a 21-year-old with outstanding warrants in two states, who apparently thought joyriding in a $400,000 rolling palace was a great way to kick off his Wednesday. Florida, never change.
It all started at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, where the Cullinan was swiped right out of valet at around 2am. The suspect, later identified as Malik Patterson, made it a whole six miles before his joyride ended in predictable disaster—a direct collision with the Checkers on West Broward Boulevard. The irony of a six-figure luxury SUV meeting its fate at a drive-thru built to serve two-for-one chili dogs is almost poetic.
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According to Google Maps, the drive from the Hilton to this Checkers restaurant is only 5.6 miles (9 km) and typically takes between 12-18 minutes without traffic.
Footage of the aftermath shows the pre-facelifted Rolls-Royce Cullinan with a heavily damaged front end. The side airbags are deployed, the blinkers are on, and the rear suicide door on the driver’s side is left open. The damage to the restaurant is extensive, prompting a building inspection.
Police authorities stated that they received a call about the stolen vehicle before spotting it heading west on West Broward Boulevard at around 2:15 a.m. Officers suggest they didn’t initiate a pursuit prior to the crash, which sounds like classic driver error. Turns out, navigating a 6,000-pound luxury SUV isn’t as easy as it looks in GTA.
The suspect, reportedly unharmed, tried to flee but was located and arrested nearby. He now faces charges of vehicle theft, resisting arrest without violence, fleeing and eluding police, leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage, and felony probation violation due to outstanding warrants in Broward County and Placer County, California.
More2: Hotel Valet Steals $120K Audi RS7, Takes It To Car Meet Where Thieves Steal It From Him
As for the Rolls-Royce SUV’s owner, he was quietly asleep at the hotel when all this went down. He was later notified by hotel staff and arrived to find his prized possession in ruins. Speaking to Local 10, he said: “I’m definitely not shocked. It’s a Rolls-Royce—people like to steal nice things and go for a little joyride,” adding, “This joyride didn’t end too well for this guy. He’s locked up, and the car is totaled.
This isn’t the first time a Rolls-Royce Cullinan has been swiped from a valet. Back in November 2023, a gray Cullinan was casually lifted from an Atlanta hotel. Just two months later, in January 2024, another white one disappeared from a Miami restaurant.