Lakeland Police Arrest Accused Car Burglar, 2nd Burglar Got Away

LAKELAND, FL -- Lakeland Police made one arrest but are still searching for a car burglar on the lam.

On Sunday, March 25, at 6 a.m., Lakeland Police responded to Autumnwood Village Apartments, 1776 Harden Blvd., after a resident saw two people pulling on door handles of cars in the parking lot.

Upon arriving, Lt. Eric Harper saw burglary suspects pulling car door handles and looking in windows. When Harper approached them, they both fled, however, Harper was able to grab hold of one of the suspects, Lil' Romeo Smith, 15. In the process, a Ruger .45-caliber gun fell out of the teen's right front pocket.

Smith also had a backpack containing several cell phones, a GPS, coins and a wrist watch.

During the investigation, police received additional reports from residents who said their cars were broken into and items were missing. One resident said his Ruger .45-caliber gun was stolen.

While interviewing witnesses, detectives discovered that Smith is on conditional probation for several offenses including possession of a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm by a delinquent.

Smith was charged with loitering and prowling, possession of a firearm by a delinquent and violation of probation. He was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

Detectives are still trying to identify the second burglar.

Image via Lakeland Police