Serial Vehicle, Boat Burglar Bagged in Sarasota, Cops Say

A burglar Sarasota Police say snatched more than $20,000 in property has been stopped in his tracks thanks to a victim’s video surveillance camera.

Anthony W. Berretta, 18, of Sarasota was brought into custody earlier this week after a homeowner reported a man entered her front porch while she and her 10-year-old son were asleep. Review of the homeowner’s surveillance footage from the night of Sept. 15 showed Berretta walking up to the home, stealing cash and gaining entry into an unlocked vehicle, an email from the agency stated. Once inside the car, he’s also accused of taking an unknown amount of loose change.

That video footage was enough to net detectives a warrant for Berretta’s arrest, the police department reported. He has since been connected to a number of other burglaries throughout the city that began occurring at the start of the month.

As of Friday afternoon, Berretta had been charged with five counts of felony burglary of an occupied dwelling, eight counts of felony burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and one count of possession of marijuana. Other charges are pending. He remained in the Sarasota County Jail on Friday.

Anyone with additional information in the case is asked to call Det. Kim Laster at 941-364-7327. Anonymous tips may also be left with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or going online to www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Photo of recovered items and Berretta’s booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department.