Crime & Safety

Neighbor Helps Police Arrest Burglary Suspect

Sarasota Police said they are grateful for the information provided by the concerned neighbor. With this information police were able to locate the suspect, recover stolen property and arrest the suspect.

Today, Sarasota Police, thanks to information provided by a concerned neighbor, had a suspect in custody for a burglary before that crime was even reported.

The suspect has been identified as Joseph Bernard Brookins, 18.  Brookins was arrested for Burglary and Armed Burglary.

According to the Sarasota Police, they were looking for a suspect in a burglary that had occurred earlier that same morning in the 600 block of 45th Street. A neighbor of the victim had provided a description of the suspect. When police located someone fitting the suspect’s description, they discovered that the suspect was in possession of a laptop computer taken from a home in the 600 block of Mecca Drive, police said.

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According to police, at the request of police the resident responded to the home and confirmed that a burglary had occurred in the 600 block of Mecca Drive.  Items taken during the Mecca Drive burglary were recovered from the suspect.

A handgun was stolen during the 45th Street burglary and was recovered from the suspect, a police press release said.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sarasota Police said are grateful for the information provided by the concerned neighbor.  With this information police were able to locate the suspect, recover stolen property and arrest the suspect. 

Information provided may lead to additional charges against this suspect.  The investigation is continuing, the release said.  Anyone with information concerning these crimes can contact Detective Riley of Detective Delcos at 941-954-7070. 


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