Palm Harbor 18-Year-Old Arrested, Accused of Multiple Vehicle Burglaries

An 18-year-old Palm Harbor resident arrested Saturday is believed to be connected to a string of vehicle burglaries in north Pinellas County.

Brennen C. Nelms, of 1419 Normandy Circle, was under surveillance by Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives when he was seen committing two vehicle burglaries on Saturday, according to a media release from the Sheriff’s Office. 

He fled on foot and was caught, according to the release. During an interview with law enforcement, he admitted to as many as 20 recent vehicles burglaries, according to the release.

The Sheriff’s Office had been receiving reports of vehicle burglaries in North Pinellas neighborhoods since May. In all the cases, someone broke vehicle windows to grab the contents inside. Sometimes the suspect covered the windows in blue painters tape or black electrical tape to lessen the noise. Other times, the windows were removed.

A patrol unit had spotted a white Hyundai Sonata in front of a residence where one of the burglaries occurred. In another case, a white four-door vehicle, possibly a Sonata, and a tall, thin white male was seen committing the burglary. In a third case, the victim saw the suspect in her vehicle. He fled in a white four-door car when she confronted him.

Detectives used the accounts and other information to identify Nelms as the suspect and began surveillance on him. He was seen committing two vehicle burglaries in a neighborhood off Keystone Road around 4 a.m. Saturday.  After arresting Nelms, detectives found a .44 caliber revolver and other stolen items in his vehicle.

Detectives questioned Nelms about a second vehicle burglary in which a firearm was stolen, and he admitted to it, according to the release. Detectives searched Nelms’ residence and found stolen property,much of which has beturned to the owners.

Nelms was charged with two counts of armed conveyance burglary and  two counts conveyance burglary. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.