Vehicle Burglaries: 1 Charged In Break-Ins, Manatee Sheriff Says

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — An Indiana man faces charges related to multiple vehicle burglaries in Manatee County, authorities said.

Michael Martin, 38, was taken into custody Wednesday night in the 900 block of University Parkway in Sarasota, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

His arrest came following several days of investigative work by MCSO detectives with assistance from the Sarasota Police Department and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Martin is suspected of committing numerous burglaries of unlocked vehicle in neighborhoods between Lockwood Ridge Road and Palm Aire Drive on Saturday, the sheriff’s office said.

Based on surveillance photos and other evidence, detectives determined Martin entered 11 unlocked vehicles in the early morning hours, removing cash, gift cards, a laptop and garage door openers.

He is also suspected of using one of the garage door openers to enter a residence, where he stole a set of golf clubs, the agency said.

During their investigation, detectives identified Martin and learned he was staying at different motels in the Sarasota area.

Warrants were signed for his arrest and detectives made contact with Martin by telephone, encouraging him to meet with deputies for an interview, but he declined each time, the sheriff’s office said.

Sarasota police found Martin sitting in his vehicle outside the Sleep Inn on University Parkway on Wednesday around 10 p.m. Officers arrested him on the burglary warrants and additional drug charges, MCSO said.

When searching his vehicle, officers found numerous computer tablets, cell phone chargers and other property believed to be stolen, the sheriff’s office said.

Martin is now under investigation for burglaries within the city of Sarasota and Sarasota County. MCSO detectives also believe he is likely responsible for several other burglary cases in Manatee County.