POLK COUNTY, Fla. – After a string of car burglaries dating back to last month, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has finally announced the capture of two suspects.
In a release, deputies said that there have been 20 car burglaries in the area since April 11, kicking off an investigation into who was responsible.
Recommended Videos
But on Tuesday, deputies learned about another attempted burglary around 1:28 a.m. near Hemlock Avenue and Marigold Avenue, the release shows.
Per investigators, the suspects had gotten away in a white Nissan Maxima.
A short time later, a deputy spotted a white Nissan Maxima driving past a stop sign without stopping.
“Additionally, the vehicle had illegal tint, an altered exhaust, and improper headlights,” the release reads.
As a result, the deputy pulled over the vehicle, finding Poinciana residents Joshua Mahase, 18; and Julian Cortez, 19, the sheriff’s office revealed. Both were reportedly in possession of marijuana.
In addition, investigators said that deputies found clothing that matched the clothing worn by suspects in the burglaries — along with several driver’s licenses, passports, credit/debit cards, and a tool bag.
Now, both Cortez and Mahase face the following charges:
- Conspiracy to commit burglary (20 counts)
- Unarmed burglary (19 counts)
- Armed burglary
- Grand theft - firearm
- Conspiracy to commit fraud (10 counts)
- Conspiracy to commit grand theft
- Fraudulent use of credit/debit card (3 counts)
- Possession of burglary tools (20 counts)
- Petit theft (19 counts)
- Unlawful possession of personal ID
- Possession of marijuana
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Maintaining a vehicle for drug use
- Possession of stolen IDs (9 counts)
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation is ongoing, and even more arrests are possible.