Serial Coin Thief's Spree Comes to an End

A 30-year-old Clearwater man faces a host of charges after police say they caught him red-handed with all the tools of the coin-stealing trade.

Since Aug. 19, eight Clearwater businesses have reported burglaries of their coin-pusher entertainment machines and self-service coin machines.

Joshua Garner Poole of 610 S. Crest Ave. was arrested Monday in the 2500 block of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard after an “an alert police officer spotted a white Ford van matching the description of the vehicle used in previous burglaries,” Rob Shaw, Clearwater police spokesman, wrote in an email to media. As the officer watched, “the vehicle slowed down as if to turn into the Publix at Belcher Road and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, then kept going.”

The officer conducted a traffic stop and discovered Poole was driving on a suspended license. Upon questioning, Poole admitted to being involved in numerous burglaries. Police also found Publix coin bags, burglary tools and a duffle bag loaded with gloves, face coverings and various other items in his possession.

So far, Poole has been charged with commercial burglary for thefts at the following locations:

• Citgo, 2000 Drew St.
• Maria’s Food Mart, 1333 N. Highland Ave.
• Sunoco Express Mart, 1280 S. Highland Ave.
• Publix, 1555 S. Highland Ave
• Publix, 1520 McMullen Booth Road

Other charges from Clearwater are pending, as are possible charges out of Largo and St. Petersburg.

Photo Credit: Joshua Poole/Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office