Man Charged In Smash-And-Grab Vehicle Burglary Spree At Publix: Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A man was arrested for a smash-and-grab vehicle burglary spree in a Publix parking lot earlier this month, according to a St. Petersburg Police Department news release.

Cory Kendrick, 24, committed the burglaries at the Publix store, 1700 34th Street N., between Jan. 2 and Jan. 5.

Surveillance footage from the grocery store on Jan. 4 at 9:45 a.m. shows Kendrick riding his bicycle through the parking lot, smashing car windows, rummaging through vehicles and taking items, police said. A total of 11 vehicles were damaged at that location.

An officer spotted Kendrick riding a bicycle near the 1100 block of Baum Avenue the next morning and recognized him from the video.

Kendrick tried to get away but was arrested not far from where he was spotted, police said. Officers also found two guns from him.

Detectives also linked Kendrick to other vehicle burglaries throughout the area, including five at a dentist’s office parking lot at 3238 4th Street N. on Jan. 2.

He faces the following charges:

• 11 counts of vehicle burglary
• one count of armed vehicle burglary (stole a firearm)
• one count of credit card fraud
• one count of credit card theft
• one count unlawful possession of a personal ID
• one count of obstruction
• one count carrying a concealed firearm
• one count felon in possession of a firearm

Detectives are still reaching out to potential victims and witnesses and believe that Kendrick is a suspect in several other related crimes over the last month. Additional charges may be forthcoming.