Two Men Arrested in Car Burglaries

Two men have been arrested for a string of car burglaries in the Villages.

Around 2:42 a.m. Wednesday the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Village Community Watch regarding two suspicious men inside a vehicle.

Deputies responded and the driver, a 19-year-old Leesburg man, was detained and eventually arrested for loitering and prowling. Deputies allege they found two handguns, marijuana, and a bottle of hydrocodone inside the vehicle.

That same day at 8 a.m., the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office received a vehicle burglary report from Nash Loop in the Villages. Deputies canvassed the area and apparently discovered four vehicles that were broken into.

Investigators believe the two handguns apparently found in the suspects’ vehicle were likely stolen from two Villages residents’ vehicles and the bottle of hydrocodone was stolen from a Villages resident golf cart.

At 8: 35 a.m. on that same Wednesday, the Leesburg Police Department discovered an abandoned Mercury Marquee and contacted the owner who lives in The Villages. The owner reported the vehicle stolen.

Another vehicle was reported stolen from Eustis and the owner, a 19-year-old man, was interviewed by Sumter County Sheriff’s Office detectives because he was allegedly seen on one of the victims’ home security camera system at the scene around his vehicle.

Investigators claim that the man confessed to falsely reporting his car stolen and being part of this crime spree.

One of the men was charged with seven counts of burglary to a conveyance, two counts of armed burglary to a conveyance, two counts of grand theft of a firearm, two counts of first degree petit theft, grand theft, grand theft of a controlled substance, loitering and prowling, possession of marijuana, drug trafficking, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The other man was charged with seven counts of burglary to a conveyance, two counts of armed burglary to a conveyance, two counts of grand theft of a firearm, first degree petit theft, and grand theft.

Being accused of a crime, including auto theft, can be quite an overwhelming experience. A criminal defense attorney who fully understands the criminal justice system can help you understand all of your legal options and provide you with the most powerful defense in court. If you suspect that you will be charged with a theft crime, or if you have already been charged, this is not the time to take matters into your own hands. The stakes are high in these cases, so it is best to enlist the help of a professional.

If you are accused of auto theft, you could be facing significant jail or prison time as well as hefty fines. That is why it is extremely important that you contact a Villages Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton who can help you with your case. For a free initial consultation, please call us today at 352-369-5334 or contact us online.