When Jose Ortega pulled into Broward Motorsports in West Palm Beach with his personal watercraft, he believed he was doing exactly what responsible owners are told to do. He had purchased the watercraft in November 2022, along with a prepaid maintenance plan that cost thousands of dollars.
The pitch was simple and reassuring. Bring it in for service. The dealership would handle the rest. Records would be kept. The asset would be protected.
Nearly three years later, Ortega says he is still making $441 monthly payments on a machine that vanished from the dealership’s property.
According to a lawsuit filed against Broward Motorsports, Ortega dropped off the watercraft in September 2023 for routine service. The facility, located off Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach, accepted the unit for maintenance. Weeks passed. By October, Ortega says he was told the watercraft was no longer on the property.
The Disappearance and Police Report
At first, he thought there had to be a mistake. He says staff told him they would look into it and call him back. Three days later, he claims, the dealership informed him the watercraft had been stolen. A police report was filed with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
That explanation has not ended the financial obligation. Ortega continues to pay the lender because stopping would damage his credit. The watercraft loan remains active. The asset tied to it does not…