Sheriff's Office Stops Burglary; Charges Teens In Unrelated Crime

deputies made a five arrests for two unrelated crimes thanks to one call by a witness.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested two men in connection with a break-in Monday at an office in the 5700 block of Bessie Drive in Sarasota while also arrested one teen for petit theft and charges against two other teens are pending with the State's Attorney Office, according to the sheriff's office.

A witness called to report a burglary in progress just before 2 a.m. Monday, at the . Deputies found a ladder on the south side of the building and a hole cut in the roof.

Deputies found a man, Matthew Moran, 30, across the street who said he was waiting for a ride, but when they said they were entering the building he said “Chris” was still inside. The suspect called his friend, Chris Barrow, 41, and told him to come out because deputies had the building surrounded. Both men were arrested without incident.

Deputies found three saws, a hammer and a crowbar at the scene and insdie the office building, a recylcing bin containing 10-15 laptop computers that authorities suspect the men were ready to carry outside the building, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Barrow, of 4905 Gold Trees Way, Sarasota, is charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools, according to the sheriff's office. Moran, of 3000 Williamsburg St., Sarasota, is charged with being an accessory to burglary, according to the sheriff's office. This is Moran’s 25th arrest, according to the sheriff's office.

While responding to the burglary, three teens that were suspected of siphoning gas from a car spotted the deputies next door and fled from the Christian Family Church parking lot, according to the sheriff's office.

One suspect dove into a pond when deputies arrived, and eventually swam to shore and was arrested for petit theft and resisting arrest without violence, according to the sheriff's office.