Man arrested for kayak theft/threatening Deputies

A 25-year-old homeless man was arrested Thursday after he was caught red-handed with a kayak and a litany of other items reported stolen from several Saddlebunch Keys properties earlier that day.

Kristopher Shane Fitch was charged with grand theft, property damage, burglary and making threats against a law enforcement officer.

Deputy Jennifer Hughes responded to three separate lots in the Bluewater Key RV Resort at 12:40 p.m. A property manager said three complaints from three separate guests had been made that morning regarding stolen items or burglaries. One victim stated his kayak, paddle, fishing rod, pliers and other miscellaneous kayak/tackle gear was missing, which he valued at about $1,740. He added that the outside kitchen area of his lot was ransacked with chairs thrown in the canal. It appeared someone tried to break into cabinets that the victim had either Zip tied shut or locked. Another person staying at the same lot said about $2 in loose change was taken from his truck.

Two other victims at two other properties reported several bottles of liquor, beer and snorkel gear were missing.

Deputy Hughes then went to Shark Key about two hours later where she met with Deputy Aaron Roddy and a suspected trespasser identified as Fitch.  Deputy Hughes observed a kayak matching the picture the victim on Saddlebunch Keys had shown him of his stolen kayak. Inside the kayak were the other items reported stolen.

Fitch claimed ownership of the kayak.

Fitch threatened to kill arresting Deputies when he was handcuffed.

Fitch was taken to jail.

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