Eleven Central Florida suspects were arrested for various charges after what started as an initial burglary investigation.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested and charged the 11 suspects for crimes ranging from grand theft to operating an unpermitted landfill and drug-related offenses after an initial burglary investigation at an active-duty service member’s vacant home.
The PCSO was contacted by the 38-year-old victim, who is serving in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in North Dakota, after he noticed an alarming spike in his electricity bill. He requested a check on his property in south Lakeland, and when deputies arrived, they located Brindy Matos obviously living in a shed on the property, and a meter box that had been tampered with. Matos had several of the victim’s things from his main house inside the shed with her, along with her own drugs and paraphernalia. An unknown male fled the scene upon deputies’ arrival – he was later positively identified as Matos’ boyfriend, Anthony Maddox, Jr.
A search of the victim’s property, which was secured by a fence and a locked gate, revealed that the house and all of the other locked buildings on the property had been broken into. The victim’s mother moved to North Dakota with him so that he could help care for her, and her 2007 black Toyota Cruiser was also missing from the Lakeland home. The victim’s John Deere riding lawn mower and golf cart were stolen as well.
During the investigation, detectives were led to a nearby property with numerous environmental and health hazards, such as solid waste and household trash strewn about, scrap metal, leaking oil barrels, and raw sewage leaking from three different motorhomes. Nuisance flies buzzed all over the property. Five people were detained and charged with environmental crimes, and several suspects had various drugs and paraphernalia in their possession. They were all living in the motorhomes or sheds on the property. Detectives learned that Maddox was hiding on the property as well. With the assistance of a K-9 team, he was found hiding in a garage behind some shelves. He had an active warrant from Hernando County, and he was also taken into custody.
Several of the suspects at this location were positively identified as being involved in the theft and subsequent selling of vehicles and household items belonging to the Air Force active duty member, including his mom’s car, his lawn mower and golf cart, kids’ toys, appliances, dishes, and a wooden bench.
The victim returned to Polk County to assist detectives with identifying and reclaiming his stolen property. So far, the value of the recovered stolen items is in excess of $50,000. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are still looking for the Toyota Cruiser, the John Deere, and the golf cart.
“The scope and brazenness of this theft and denigration of private property is terrible—these ne’er-do-wells and crankers took advantage of an active-duty Air Force member serving our country 2,000 miles away,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “He left his private property in Lakeland locked and secured, and moved his mother to be with him so he could take care of her. Nobody has a right to go onto another’s property to steal electricity and personal property. These people are a bunch of sorry folks—destroying people’s property with no care for how their lawlessness affects others.”
According to local law enforcement, the following suspects were arrested and charged:
Brindy Matos (at the original victim’s residence) charged with Burglary, Possession of meth, Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anthony Maddox, Jr. (at the original victim’s residence) charged with Burglary, Trespassing, two counts Resisting Arrest, and Warrant arrest other jurisdiction.
Dana Pereira (at the neighboring residence) charged with Violating Florida litter law, Possession of meth, Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, Operating unpermitted landfill, three counts creating a public nuisance, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
Michael Stone (at the neighboring residence) charged with Violating Florida litter law [at the neighboring property], Operating unpermitted landfill, three counts creating a public nuisance, Possession of meth, Burglary, Felony petit theft, Possession of marijuana, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jonathan Smith (at the neighboring residence) charged with Violating Florida litter law, Operating unpermitted landfill, and three counts creating a public nuisance.
Beverly Reese (at the neighboring residence) charged with two counts violating Florida litter law, Possession of meth, Operating unpermitted landfill, three counts creating a public nuisance, Keeping public nuisance structure for drug use, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dwayne Harris (at the neighboring residence) charged with Violating Florida litter law, Possession of meth, two counts operating unpermitted landfill, three counts creating a public nuisance, Keeping public nuisance structure for drug use, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
Austin Shirah (at the neighboring residence) charged with Possession of meth, Violation of probation, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Maintaining a vehicle for drug use.
Angela Keene (at the neighboring residence) charged with Possession of controlled substance, Possession of prescription drug without prescription, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Maintaining a vehicle for drug use.
Troy Bumkens (at the neighboring residence) charged with Possession of meth, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kayla Strickland (at the neighboring residence) charged with Possession of meth, Possession of prescription drug without prescription, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.
