Man arrested in gun theft/burglary

The 38-year-old Key Largo man was arrested Wednesday following an investigation into a restaurant burglary in which a revolver was stolen.

Zandor Mezerene was charged with burglary, grand theft of a firearm, criminal mischief, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and failure to register in Monroe County as a convicted felon.

The case began in April when Sgt. James Hager responded to the Gratitude Café in Key Largo to find a burglar had broken a small window in the rear of the business and stolen a .38-caliber Taurus revolver. Sgt. James Hager and Deputy Jose Hernandez found that a nearby business had security video and recorded a possible suspect who lives on the second floor next to the Gratitude Café — Mezerene.

Detective Ignacio Molina spoke to Mezerene. Mezerene admitted to breaking into the café and stealing the handgun. Mezerene admitted to breaking the rear window. Mezerene told Detective Molina where he hid the gun. The gun was quickly located. The victim identified the gun as his.

The victim was unsure whether he wanted to press charges and on April 24, he told Detective Molina he wished to press charges.

A warrant was filed for Mezerene’s arrest.

Mezerene was arrested on Wednesday and taken to jail.

Mezerene has a prior conviction for forgery out of Washington state.

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