[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / David Tran]
[Original Publish Date: 10/21/19]
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GROVELAND, Florida – A 22-year-old man is facing grand theft, auto theft and burglary charges after confessing to ripping off several people in a string of car burglaries. Eight burglaries were reported.
On Oct. 8, a victim, who personally knows Brandon Joshua Berry, of Groveland, reported to Groveland Police that Berry and a friend, Robert Brooks showed up at his house and asked to use the bathroom.
While inside, Berry told the complainant he was staying in an abandoned home at 239 South Indiana Avenue and had stashed his loot there after committing the burglaries, according to an arrest affidavit. Brooks tried to sell the complainant a drill he pulled from a bag of tools, according to the affidavit. The complainant refused to buy the drill and Berry and Brooks left, stealing the complainant’s vehicle, according to the report.
A Groveland police sergeant went to the abandoned home and found several tools and personal items belonging to the victims of the vehicle burglaries. On Oct. 11, Berry was interviewed by a Groveland police detective and admitted to several of the burglaries. He said he sold some of the stolen items, but he could not remember to whom, the affidavit states. Berry advised the detective his friend Brooks had no involvement in the thefts. In a later interview with Brooks at the Lake County Jail, he also denied involvement, but was charged with auto theft. Brooks was also recommitted for a prior felony petit theft.
Berry is being held on $26,000 bond at the Lake County Jail; Brooks’ bond is $4,000.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
