Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
Sarasota News Leader September 27, 2013 Page 84 WOMAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH MULTIPLE BURGLARIES The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman in connection with multiple residential burglaries "to fuel what she says is an addiction to Roxicodone," the office has announced. Joan Williams (aka Joan Baker), 29, of 4006 Maverick Ave., Sarasota, was identified by detectives as a possible suspect in a burglary in the Bent Tree area last week because she and her vehicle matched witness descriptions of the suspect, a news release says. In a Sept. 18 incident, the victim, who lives on Gator Creek Boulevard — located near Bee Ridge Road Extension and State Road 72 — told deputies she was awakened by the sound of glass breaking, so she ran downstairs, the report notes. The victim added that she heard noises coming from the bathroom door in the pool area. When the victim approached that location, she spotted a woman later identified as Williams, the report notes. The victim said the woman had a tool in her hand and was attempting to open the bathroom door, according to the report. The victim added that the suspect was wearing a small brown fanny pack round her waist; she apparently was keeping tools in that. When the woman spotted the victim, the report continues, the woman ran off. Detectives conducting surveillance on Williams on Monday, Sept. 23, watched her knock on the door of a house on Dryden Road, according to the report. When the resident answered, Williams said she was looking for her lost dog and left. Williams then went to Southwell Way, where deputies and detectives set up a perimeter, the report continues. Joan Williams/Contributed photo She was taken into custody when she exited the rear of a home, wearing white gloves and carrying coins, jewelry and cash in a clear baggie, the report says. Williams also had a brown fanny pack around her waist at that time, the report adds. The victim in that case identified the jewelry in Williams' possession as having been removed from the residence, the report continues. The approximate value of the jewelry was $20,000, the report notes. "During questioning, Williams admitted committing burglaries because she is addicted to Roxicodone," the release adds. The investigation is continuing. Williams is charged with two counts of Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, three counts of Possession of Burglary Tools and one count of Attempted Burglary.