Burglary suspect arrested

A 48-year-old Key Largo man was arrested Tuesday for multiple business burglaries as well as burglary of a residence.

Shane Everett Earp was charged with burglary, property damage and larceny.

The case began on Sept. 19 when the Sheriff’s Office was called to Key Lime Products in Key Largo on the Overseas Highway. The owners there reported a burglary that resulted in $15,000 to $20,000 in losses. Multiple LED signs and 15 boxes containing miscellaneous ceramics and pottery were missing.

Detectives with the Upper Keys Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case.

The Sheriff’s Office responded again to the same store on Nov. 1. Another burglary occurred and approximately $4,500 in miscellaneous fixtures and souvenirs were missing. It appeared a portion of fence was cut to gain entrance to the property just as in the last case.

The next day, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Lime Street that was burglarized and $458 in cash stolen. A witness who saw someone breaking into the residence identified the suspect as Earp.

When Detectives went to Earp’s residence and observed what appeared to be items from the Key Lime Products store in plain view.

Detectives then worked with the State Attorney’s Office to quickly obtain a search warrant.

Inside, Detectives found burglary tools and many of the items reported stolen from the Key Lime Products business.

Earp was taken to jail.

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