Decoy Vehicle Used in Lee County, FL. Results in Petit Theft Arrest: Sentence Reduced!
Due to a high incident of vehicle and residential burglary in Lehigh Acres, police in Lee County set up an undercover operation. A decoy vehicle was set up along the roadside simulating a disabled vehicle. The "bait" used to lure criminal activity was a brand new Toshiba 32" flat screen TV, protruding out of the partially opened trunk. The trunk was secured with a bungy cord. The TV was valued at $290. Deputies conducted surveillance from an unmarked vehicle parked in a nearby driveway, approximately 18 yards from the target vehicle.
Police spotted a white Dodge pickup drive by the decoy several times before parking close by. The suspect was observed opening the trunk of the decoy vehicle and removing the Toshiba TV. Deputies confronted the man and he dropped the TV. They handcuffed the suspect and a pat down search revealed a pipe used for smoking marijuana in his front pocket. He was arrested and charged with: Petit Theft, Fla. Statute 812.014(2)(e), Burglary of a Conveyance, Fla. Statute 810.02, and Possession of Paraphernalia, Fla. Statute 893.147(1).
Seeking experienced Fort Myers criminal lawyers, the 26 year old defendant retained the services of attorneys at Musca Law. By negotiating with the State Attorney on behalf of our client, the charges were broken down. Adjudication was withheld on the Burglary of a Conveyance charge, meaning no conviction, no finding of guilt. Our client received a short period of probation as punishment for the charges of Petit Theft and Possession of Paraphernalia.
