Two Florida men were arrested last and charged with a string of car burglaries as well as stealing the car they used during the crimes.
Joseph Isaac Ibanez, 25, of Sebring, and Tayler Eddie Pereira, 20, of Lake Placid, are both facing charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, five counts of vehicle burglary, three counts of grand theft of a firearm, and one count of petit theft in connection with the burglaries that took place in the early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2022, on Harnage Road, which is located off SR 17 between Avon Park and Sebring.
The pair used a truck stolen from Huntley Oaks Boulevard in Lake Placid for their crime spree.
In the news: Florida Residents Saw More Than $26 Million In Unclaimed Cash, Property Returned In December
The truck was located that same day abandoned in an orange grove on Faye Drive in Lake Placid, not far from Pereira’s home, according to deputies.
The stolen truck had a GPS system that tracked its movements, which allowed Det. Steve Worley to determine it had stopped at a convenience store after the burglaries.
Security footage showed both suspects exiting the stolen vehicle and entering the store.
Ibanez was released from state prison in October after completing his second sentence for property crimes similar to his current charges.
In the news: Florida Lawmakers Lead Effort To Block Biden From Removing Cuba From Terrorist List
Pereira also has a history of vehicle burglaries, grand theft, and firearms theft but has thus far avoided a prison sentence.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.