2 Arrested in Series of Car Burglaries in Bloomingdale, Lithia

Two men are facing multiple charges following a series of car burglaries in the Bloomingdale and Lithia area Saturday, July 7.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the first car burglaries occurred at the Campo Family YMCA on Culbreath Road in Valrico. The alleged burglares then proceeded to the Mobil gas station and Taco Bell on Bloomingdale Avenue and Bell Shoals Road where they used credit cards from the YMCA burglaries. Afterward, they headed to the Lithia Spring Park where they hit another car and then to the FishHawk Sports Complex where they committed two more car burglaries.

At the sports complex, victims and witnesses heard a car window shatter and saw a vehicle flee from the area moments later. One of the witnesses ran to his vehicle and was able to catch up to the suspects traveling west on FishHawk Boulevard. The witness notified deputies and gave them updates on where he was located. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office helicopter spotted the suspect's car at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Gibsonton Drive.

Around the same time, the suspects were spotted by sheriff's deputies who were told not to engage and try to stop the car. Instead, the helicopter conducted surveillance as the car continued north on Interstate 75 and exited eastbound on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The suspects trav3eled throughout the Seffner area at a legal speed until they spotted deputies in marked patrol car. That's when the suspects began to flee, throwing some stolen items from the car and letting out a female passenger at County Road 579 and Pruett Road.

Deputies recovered the stolen items but could not locate the female passenger.

Deputies continued to follow the suspects from a distance with air service providing them with updates on the suspects' location. The car eventually re-entered Interstate 75, heading north into Pasco County.

There, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office joined the pursuit. 

Finally, the suspects exited State Road 54 eastbound and then headed west. That's where Hillsborough County deputies deployed Stopsticks, puncturing the suspects' front left tire. The car struck a traffic control sign as it turned north onto the Interstate 75 ramp.

One suspect fled the car before it stopped and the other fled directly after the crash. Both were apprehended in the area with the assistance of the sheriff's air service. 

According to the sheriff's office, the driver complained of pains and requested medical attention. The passenger, who bailed while the vehicle was moving, complained of a sore wrist and knee and also requested medical attention. Both were transported to the nearest hospital.

After first giving a false name and date of birth, the driver was identified as Lucious Felder, 23. He's charged with possession of marijuana and auto burglary.

The passenger was identified as Terry Joseph, 26. He's charged with violation of probation, auto burglary and possession of marijuana.

Both men live in south Florida.

The car they were using was a rental. It was seized by sheriff's deputies along with a number of items in the car.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges will be added.