Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/344348
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a Venice man on the morning of July 2 for allegedly burglarizing several vehicles late at night, the office has reported. From June 17 to June 25, two victims reported items were stolen from vehicles parked at their homes on Flamingo Road and Hourglass Drive in Venice, a news release says. A third victim reported someone tried to break into his truck on Argyle Road, but a witness scared the suspect away, the release adds. The Sheriff's Office latent fingerprint exam- iner determined prints recovered from each crime scene match those of Michael Morris, 32, of 290 Palmetto Drive, Venice. He is also the man seen on video using one of the victim's credit cards at a Walmart, the release notes. Morris is charged with two counts of Burglary, one count of Attempted Burglary, one count of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and three counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification. This is the 25th arrest for Morris, who was released from prison in January following a two-year sentence for Motor Vehicle Theft, the release adds. He also has prior arrests for Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Domestic Battery and Dealing in Stolen Property. FINGERPRINTS CONNECT SUSPECT TO SEVERAL BURGLARIES Michael Morris/Contributed photo missing when she returned from the restroom, according to the report. The purse, which contained a phone and nearly $500 in cash, was recovered from Keith Hernandez, 27, who was arrested for Grand Theft, the release says. Hernandez first told a deputy that someone had thrown the phone into his pocket, the report continues. When the deputy asked who did that, Hernandez replied that it was someone on the security staff of the Beach Club, the report adds. Then Hernandez said it was another deputy, who had arrived on the scene earlier. After he made that state- ment, the report says, Hernandez "became uncooperative and would not answer any more questions." He was released from jail after posting $5,000 bond. "Watching this video shows how quickly a crime can occur," said Sheriff's Office spokes- person Wendy Rose in the release. "It's also a good reminder to not leave purses unattended or carry large amounts of cash when it's not absolutely necessary." Sarasota News Leader July 11, 2014 Page 88