Man charged with stealing, pawning items from brother

A Lake Placid man discovered evidence of his home burglary inside his mother's car and his brother was eventually arrested for the crime, according to authorities.

Ellis Karl Valentine, 46, of 732 Concert Drive, Lake Placid, was arrested Monday and charged with felony counts of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling while unarmed, grand theft of $300 or more but less than $5,000 and giving false owner information when pawning items valued at $300 or more.

He remained in the Highlands County Jail Wednesday under an $80,000 bond.

The victim told authorities his home was burglarized on Dec. 20. Later, while cleaning out his mother's car, he found his television remote control, a wiring harness for his TV and a tire iron with white paint on it, according to the arrest report.

He also told law enforcement that his brother, Valentine, lives with their mother, has a drug problem and frequently uses her vehicle, the report stated.

Authorities spoke with Valentine, but the specifics of that conversation were redacted from the report.

Contact was also made with Central Pawn of Lake Placid, who said they had five pawn slips on file with the suspect's signature and thumb print on them.

The items in question were a television, DVD player and three bikes, according to the report. These same items were confirmed to be stolen from the victim's home.

Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Wilson made the arrest.