Deputies arrest 2 people in Charlotte County on auto theft charges
PUNTA GORDA, Fla.---An alert Charlotte County Sheriff's K9 deputy was responsible for breaking up the theft of four vehicles Friday morning in Punta Gorda. The deputy was patrolling the area of Carmalita Street and Taylor Road and discovered a vehicle with its alarm activated and lights flashing in a parking lot across from Punta Gorda Buy Here Pay Here, on Carmelita Street.
The K9 deputy then began checking vehicles at Buy Here Pay Here and found two vehicles with broken ignitions. He also located another vehicle with a damaged door lock, consistent with an attempted burglary.
A perimeter was set up to locate the two suspects. The deputy used his K9 and began a track from the car lot that ended up in front of Charlotte Regional Medical Center, exactly where Punta Gorda Police had just stopped two suspicious males covered in burrs coming of a wooded area. One was identified as 23 year old Johnny Lamont Tillman and a juvenile both of Fort Myers.
The 14 year old was booked into the Charlotte County Jail and then released to his mother in Fort Myers. Tillman was charged with three felony counts of Grand Theft Auto and one count of Burglary to a Conveyance.
Detectives are continuing their investigation. If anyone has information about these vehicle theft cases, please call the CCSO at 941-639-2101, or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.