Burglary suspect arrested

The suspect in a vehicle burglary that took place in February at the Tavernier Winn Dixie store has been arrested.

The burglary took place on February 28th at 8:40 p.m. The victim in the case was at the grocery store when her purse was stolen from her vehicle in the parking lot. Deputy Cody Jackson responded to take a report of the theft. He requested surveillance video of the parking lot during the time of the theft.

The video showed a dark colored van pull up after she left her car to go inside. Two people get out of the van and go into the store. A third person is shown on the video getting out of the van and walking to the victim’s car. The video shows him leaning into the car and removing something, then walking back to the van.

Detective Lance Hernandez was assigned to investigate. Two weeks later, he received information about that a dark van had possibly been used for more vehicle burglaries at Tavernier Towne, the shopping center where Winn Dixie is located. The vehicle in question had been stopped by deputies and the driver had been identified as 23 year old Sean Richardson of Tavernier. The van in question fit the description of the one Detective Hernandez was investigating.

Detective Hernandez made numerous attempts to talk to Richardson, going to his house and leaving his business card with requests for Richardson to call him. He finally was able to make contact with Richardson on April 26th on Pearl Avenue in Tavernier. He confronted Richardson with the information he had, including the surveillance video. Richardson admitted to taking the purse from the car.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and today he was booked into jail, charged with burglary and theft.

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