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Burglary suspect not on guest list
By HARLAN WEIKLE
Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 |
BELLEAIR – A gathering of friends at a home Friday night included one unwelcome party crasher, a plunge in the pool and a citizen-assisted arrest.
The owners of a home on Cypress Avenue were entertaining a few guests when a stranger, entering through an unlocked door, joined the party and made his way upstairs unnoticed. According to the homeowner, C. Pete Holcombe, the man helped himself to items from the bedroom. As the suspect attempted to leave, he was confronted by Mrs. Holcombe, who didn’t recognize him and asked with whom he had come. According to Belleair police, the hapless intruder then pointed at Pete Holcombe and said, “With him.”
A brief altercation ensued involving Pete Holcombe, who was struck in the face and knocked into the pool. The suspect clambered over a fence in an attempt to get away, but was chased down and detained by several guests until police arrived.
The man was arrested and according to police, appeared to be intoxicated.
An investigation is under way and police say the suspect Jayson Paul, 25, of Largo has a history of arrests including an incident involving drugs. Possible charges against the intruder could include burglary and battery.
At Tuesday night’s Town Commission meeting, police Chief Tom Edwards read a letter to the commission from Holcombe praising the Belleair Police Department and officers Rollin Lightfield and Allison Bennett whom he wrote, “gave particular comfort to our two children who were horrified by the event.”
Edwards reminds citizens that with cooler weather, open windows can be an invitation to burglars. He recommends closing and locking windows while away and when at home securing them with an interior lock, which allows an opening of no more than two inches.
The chief also reminded citizens that smoke detectors have a limited life expectancy of from 5 to 10 years not withstanding battery life, so please check the manufacturer’s literature and replace smoke detectors when their recommended service date expires.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007
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