A man was recently sentenced for a 2023 burglary and attempted burglary of multiple businesses in Central Florida.
This month, the Honorable Judge Richard A. Howard sentenced Habitual Felony Offender, 62-year-old James Darryl Batson to 30 years in prison.
Batson was found guilty by jurors for the 2023 burglary and attempted burglary of multiple businesses. Batson was convicted of Burglary of a Structure while Masked, Petit Theft, Criminal Mischief Damage Greater than $200, Criminal Mischief Damage Less than $200, and Trespass to Structure or Conveyance.
“This defendant’s repeated criminal behavior has made it clear that they have no regard for the law or the rightful property of others,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie. “Burglary is a serious crime that threatens our community’s sense of security, and we cannot allow such conduct to go unaddressed. With this sentence, the defendant will have an opportunity to reflect on his poor choices and maybe learn the commandment of ‘thou shalt not steal.’”
In March of 2023, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies responded to a commercial burglary at Bob’s Food Store off Lecanto Highway in Beverly Hills, FL. Deputies on scene observed the glass door of the business to be shattered. Upon reviewing the store’s surveillance footage, officials observed a male wearing a black hoodie with white lettering enter the business by breaking the front door. The suspect then proceeded to jump over the counter with a garbage can and fill it with cigarettes and lighters before leaving.
Officials were also called to George’s Wholesale Tires and Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant, both nearby businesses, in reference to property damage. An employee at the tire shop indicated that a suspect cut their internet wires and destroyed three of their cameras. Similarly, at the restaurant, employees reported damage to a door lock and their internet cables cut. Video footage from both businesses captured the same suspect from the food store burglary.
Later, while on shift, CCSO Deputy Saayman observed an individual matching the same description as the suspect and wearing the same clothing, except for the black hoodie with white lettering, riding a bicycle. The deputy made contact with the individual, later identified as Batson, who was detained.
CCSO Detectives Quinn and Chenoweth interviewed Batson who admitted to breaking into the food store, cutting the wires at Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant, and identified himself as the person destroying the cameras on the surveillance at George’s Wholesale Tires.
A few days later, Detective Quinn learned of a residence where the defendant had requested a friend go to and sell items to bond him out of jail. Said residence was undergoing renovations and the owner had not given the defendant permission to be there. Inside, detectives located the hatchet used in the burglary, the black hoodie with white lettering, and the garbage can full of cigarettes and lighters stolen from Bob’s Food Store.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Elizabeth Colombrito and Kaitlyn Mannis, who thanked the diligent work of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
