Sheriff Nabs Accused Car Burglar In Westchase

WESTCHASE, FL — Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested a teen accused of burglarizing vehicles in Westchase.

Victims reported they were missing valuable items, cash and, in one case, a firearm after seven vehicle burglaries occurred during the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25.

The cars were parked in front of homes located in the Stonebridge, Sturbridge, Westwood Lakes, West Hampton and South Hampton subdivisions. Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Jaden Butler, 19, after collecting fingerprint and DNA samples from the burglarized cars.

Detectives learned Butler made purchases with the stolen credit cards at the Mobile gas station at 8212 Sheldon Road in Tampa. Surveillance video captured Butler at the business.

He was arrested at his home on the 14000 block of Coral Berry Drive at 6:27 a.m. June 25.

A court-authorized search warrant was conducted and deputies recovered several stolen items.

Butler was charged with:

• Five counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance
• Two counts of armed burglary of conveyance
• Four counts of unauthorized use of credit card under $300
• One count of grand theft third degree ($750-$5,000)
• One count of unlawful possession of a stolen credit or debit card

"This teen will be held accountable for his criminal behavior, but we urge drivers to lock their cars to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "In all of these cases, the vehicles were unlocked, and while some items can be replaced, weapons left in unlocked cars pose a serious danger to our community. We can't say it enough: Lock your car doors."

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.