Beach thieves caught and charged
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 |
CLEARWATER BEACH - Clearwater police arrested three people on multiple grand theft charges for allegedly stealing items from swimmers’ beach blankets.
Jessica Putbrese, 29 of Clearwater was charged with nine counts of grand theft and failure to register vehicle; Jeramiah Putbrese, 29 of Clearwater, was charged with six counts of grand theft; and Ladonn Hoke, 21 of Clearwater, was charged with nine counts of grand theft.
According to a police report, the thefts were reported between 500 Mandalay Ave. and 400 S. Gulfview Blvd. a little after noon on Aug. 4. The victims left their unattended belongings on or near beach blankets while they swam and when they returned, their belongings were missing, the report said.
Shortly after he last theft was reported, a Clearwater Police lieutenant saw two men running towards a vehicle with a woman driving. He said they were carrying something hidden in beach towels. The lieutenant was on the opposite side of the road and could not turn around in time to catch them but got a description of the vehicle and a partial tag number.
On Aug. 5, patrol officers found the unoccupied vehicle at the beach. Shortly after, the suspects returned and police stopped their car as they tried to leave the beach. While the officers had the vehicle stopped, two victims approached them to report more thefts. Their property was inside the vehicle. Officers found more stolen property at the suspects’ residence on Pine Street.
The suspects were linked to at least five cases that total more than $10,000 of stolen property. Stolen items include cash, debit and credit cards, purses and wallets, cell phones and jewelry.
|
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
