Sarasota Police Recover $100,000 Worth Of Stolen Equipment

SARASOTA, FL – Following a two-month investigation, the Sarasota Police have arrested a man they say was involved in the robbery of 12 construction businesses.

Lazaro A. Rodriguez, 57, of Sarasota, has been charged with multiple counts of dealing in stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

During their investigation, Sarasota Police detectives discovered a storage shed containing 65 items stolen from 12 businesses in February and March.

Southwest Concrete and Masonry, 921 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota, was the victim of four of the burglaries.

Between March 12 and 19, additional construction businesses reported burglaries in which concrete saws, jack hammers, miter saws and impact sockets were stolen.

On March 19, Sarasota Police detectives were notified that a concrete saw belonging to Southwest Concrete

and Masonry was in the process of being stolen. Surveillance was set up immediately by detectives who found that the saw had been transported to Extra Space Storage, 2255 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota. Detectives arrived at the storage unit and found Rodriguez moving items back and forth between a truck and the storage unit, including two concrete saws. Detectives also saw multiple tools and lawn equipment in the storage unit.

Rodriguez was placed into custody and taken to Sarasota Police Headquarters for questioning. A search warrant was conducted on March 20, and detectives discovered more than $100,000 in stolen construction tools and lawn equipment.

During the execution of the search warrant of Rodriguez' vehicle, a plastic bottle containing several pieces of cocaine and $3,452 cash was found as well.

Sarasota Police detectives are also searching for Ricardo J. Ruiz, 31, in connection with this case for supplying stolen property from the various burglaries.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ruiz is asked to call Detective Luis Paris at (941) 363-5830 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS.

Images via Sarasota Police