PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WWSB) – A Punta Gorda man was arrested for stealing approximately $30,000 in marijuana and other merchandise wearing stolen clothing and using a stolen prybar, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says.
On Sept. 27, at approximately 2:45 a.m., deputies responded to the Curaleaf on Kings Highway in reference to a burglary call. According to the report, when they arrived, it was obvious that someone had used a tool to pry open the back door and gain entry to the business.
Once deputies cleared the building, CCSO Criminal Investigations Unit responded and viewed security footage with the owner.
The footage showed a black Ford Fusion enter into the rear parking lot and park in one of the spaces. A male suspect, later identified as Tyrese Jackson, was seen exiting the vehicle wearing all dark clothing, a mask, and gloves and carrying tools with tags still on them. Jackson approached the back door to Curaleaf and began working on prying it open. Once he got the door open, he used a piece of cardboard to prevent it from closing again, returned to his vehicle and drove away.
Approximately 10 minutes later, he returned and entered the business.
Once inside, he collected merchandise (mostly packaged, leafy marijuana) and made multiple trips back and forth to his vehicle before getting back in and driving away. Approximately $30,000 in marijuana and other merchandise was reported stolen.
Upon further investigation, detectives were able to identify the brand of boots Jackson was wearing in the security footage. Knowing that particular brand is primarily sold at Walmart, detectives made contact with Walmart Loss Prevention who positively identified Jackson and were also able to connect Jackson to over $800 of merchandise stolen on Sept. 26. Some of the items stolen included a generator and a pry bar.
On Sept. 28, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Jackson where they observed in plain view a large crowbar, a smaller pry bar, camouflage work gloves, a hammer with the tag still on it, and marijuana still in Curaleaf packaging.
Jackson was placed under arrest and charged with the following.
Possession of a Controlled Substance without Prescription x2Drug Paraphernalia – Possession or Use Of x2Grand Theft Property more than $750 but less than $5,000Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure UnarmedGrand Theft more than $20,000 less than $100,000Grand Theft of a Controlled SubstanceMarijuana – Possess with intent to sell
A search warrant was conducted on Jackson’s residence where multiple Curaleaf items and packages were found along with the clothing and shoes the suspect was seen wearing in the Curaleaf security footage.
Tyrese Jackson is being held at the Charlotte County Jail on $53,500 bond.
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A Punta Gorda man was arrested for stealing approximately $30,000 in marijuana and other merchandise wearing stolen clothing and using a stolen prybar. Read More