The Tampa Police Department has arrested a group of teens linked to multiple overnight auto burglaries.
Just before 2 AM on Wednesday, September 14, officers responded to the 7500 block of S Kissimmee St after a victim reported seeing multiple suspects burglarizing vehicles and the garage of a neighbor's home on the same block. Patrol officers responded, locating approximately seven unlocked vehicles that had been ransacked and a garage door open due to the garage door opener being accessible inside the unlocked vehicle. Officers began canvassing the area, later locating the suspects walking along W Interbay Blvd.
Josbel Rodriguez, 15, was found to be in possession of a 9mm pistol in his waistband, along with stolen credit cards and a stolen military identification card linking him back to a victim of the Kissimmee St burglaries. Rodriguez, along with Giovanni Lannuzzi, 16, and Marcus Gray, 15, his accomplices in the auto burglaries, were each arrested and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling (felony) and multiple counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance (felony). Rodriguez is facing additional charges of carrying a concealed firearm and a minor in possession of a firearm. Officers are still investigating to determine the owner of the weapon.
As a reminder, the Tampa Police Department encourages all residents to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables from plain sight to reduce the risk of auto burglaries.