On July 18, Groveland Police Officers arrested a suspect in the Silver Eagle Road area car burglaries. The suspect was arrested just after 9 pm and has been charged with drug possession, resisting arrest and carrying a concealed firearm. The police report shows that the suspect had two loaded pistols with chambered rounds in his possession at the time of the arrest. Other charges are pending the outcome of DNA testing and the evaluation of additional evidence including an armored steel ballistic plate and other items. A taser was required to subdue and arrest the suspect. Five Groveland Police Department (GPD) officers in total were involved in the arrest. The suspect was transferred to South Lake Hospital for medical clearance and subsequently transported to the Lake County Jail without incident. “We all need to be thankful this situation turned out as it did” stated GPD Chief Shawn Ramsey. “Things could have been a lot worse. The quick response of the officers involved and a call from an alert, concerned citizen resulted in the apprehension of this criminal.”
The burglaries have plagued this area of the City for several months. Starting in January 2019, GPD has responded to multiple vehicle burglary reports. These burglaries continued throughout 2019. The method of operation continued to be the same though the location would change from one neighborhood subdivision to another. During the late-night hours, the perpetrator would wander through local neighborhoods, checking for unlocked vehicles. The perpetrator would then rummage through any unsecured vehicle found, taking valuables. “We all need to remember to do our part and lock and secure our doors to deter this type of criminal activity” added the Chief. Although caught on resident surveillance cameras several times and pending DNA evidence to later identify the perpetrator, the suspect successfully eluded law enforcement and his identity remained unknown.
In early July, DNA evidence previously submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) returned to the GPD identifying the suspect as the person involved in some of the reported vehicle burglaries. Detectives began watching him and waiting for his next move. On the night of July 18, an anonymous caller phoned the GPD stating that an unknown person had been seen walking near Cypress Oaks subdivision. Police verified that the person matched the previously provided physical description of the suspect.
Officer Vinson made contact with and stalled the suspect until backup officers Bauders and Hicks arrived. A scuffle broke out where the suspect was tased and brought under control and into custody. The suspect had multiple weapons, drugs and defensive materials in his possession. “It would have been very unwise for any citizen to approach or attempt to apprehend this suspect” Chief Ramsey reiterated, grateful that no one was seriously injured.
This report has been compiled with information directly from the Groveland Police Department.
