Juvenile Arrested In Connection With Vehicle Burglaries

A 16-year-old male was taken into custody over the long Thanksgiving weekend in connection to a string of recent burglaries in the area of Sand Castle Homes near Elson and Bella avenues.

The juvenile was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 26, after deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office spotted him in the aforementioned area wearing all black and carrying a back pack. The apprehension occurred at 2:02 a.m.

Law enforcement, along with a K-9 unit, tried to approach the subject on foot, at which time he reportedly ran away and headed south on Elson Avenue.

As deputies pursued the juvenile, a large knife and back pack were located, according to the arrest report. Inside the pack was a pair of gloves, two Swiss Army knives and a small light.

The suspect, upon his arrest, reportedly told authorities the items inside the back pack were his and that he was going to use the knives and tools to commit additional burglaries and he had used them in the past.

On Nov. 24, law enforcement responded to several complaints of burglarized vehicles within the previously mentioned area. The first victim reported that a $120 flashlight, $20 in loose change and $30 worth of .270 ammunition was stolen from his unlocked vehicle.

In the second incident, the victim told authorities her Florida driver's license and Bank of America debit card were also stolen from her unlocked vehicle.

A third victim said a Tom Tom Navigation unit and her purse were taken from her unlocked vehicle.

In the final burglary, the suspect used forced entry to get into the vehicle, causing under $200 in damage to the passenger side door lock, the report stated. Several items were reported stolen, including three knives, a stereo face plate and several CDs.

The juvenile was charged with four counts each of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance while unarmed and larceny and one count each of damage to property/criminal mischief, loitering, resisting an officer without violence and possession of burglary tools with the intent to use.

HCSO Deputy Christopher Gunter made the arrest. The Department of Juvenile Justice was contacted and advised the suspect should be released to his mother.