Trio Connected to 25 South Tampa Burglaries, Police Say

TAMPA, FL — A South Tampa burglary spree that began in late March ended in the arrest of three people Wednesday, police say. The trio is believed to be responsible for at least 25 recent burglaries.

According to the Tampa Police Department, a credit card stolen during one of the burglaries was later used in South Florida. That was the piece of information police needed to connect the suspects to many open cases in the Tampa area, an email from the agency said.

Police say the burglars mainly took jewelry when they broke into homes throughout south Tampa. Other items of value, including credit cards, were also taken.

Through the course of their investigation, police were able to connect the crimes to three people, who were all arrested Wednesday. Those charged are:

Leyanet Morales-Torres, 24, of Homestead

• Charges: Fraudulent use of a credit card, grand theft (3 counts), false info to pawn broker (2 counts).

Alejandro Blanco-Poza, 26, of Homestead

• Charges: Grand theft, driving while license suspended, and credit card/forgery/intent to defraud.

Diego Perera, 25, of Naples

• Charges: Burglary (2 counts), Grand theft (2 counts)

Police say Morales-Torres and Blanco-Poza were found in possession of numerous pieces of jewelry when they were arrested in South Florida Wednesday.

Perera’s image was captured on surveillance video taken from two of the targeted homes. Since he lives out of the area, however, he was not identified until the credit card was used in South Florida, the email said. Perera was brought into custody in Manatee County.

The investigation into the crimes continues with more charges pending for the trio.

Booking photos of Morales-Torres, Blanco-Poza and Perera courtesy of the Tampa Police Department