Man Attempts To Break Into Sheriff's Car With Deputies Inside

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL - It had to be one of their easier arrests. A Pasco man attempted to break into an unmarked sheriff's vehicle in a New Port Richey neighborhood on Nov. 15 only to find deputies inside, according to a sheriff's office report. The sheriff's office vehicle was occupied by members of the Strategic Targeted Area Response (STAR) unit, a team responsible for tracking down car thieves and auto burglars.

The man was identified as Stephen Titland, 39, who has now been charged with seven additional attempts to burglarize vehicles on Hawbuck Street in Trinity Oaks on Nov. 14, deputies said. Several homeowners captured a suspect on video as he attempted to break into seven vehicles in their neighborhood. All vehicles doors were locked and nothing was stolen.

Analysts observed the similarities of the Trinity Oaks Spree suspect to Titland. Property Crimes detectives identified and then arrested Titland for all seven attempted burglaries, deputies said.

Titland has been charged with attempted burglary, burglary auto, unoccupied, loitering and prowling and violation of probation, according to jail records.

Image via Pasco Sheriff's Office