Man arrested in Rio Pines burglaries, deputies report
A “brazen daylight burglar” accused of breaking into homes in Rio Pines has been arrested, Orange County deputies said Friday.
Jose Omar Tavarez-Arvelo, 28, will be charged in multiple cases, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ingrid Tejada-Monforte said.
Crimeline offered cash rewards for information on a burglar who was caught on home surveillance in at least two break-ins that occurred Sept. 6 near Royalton Road and Sept. 19 near Boreas Drive. But it was detectives’ work that led to Tavarez-Arvelo’s arrest, she said.
Deputies went undercover to contact Tavarez-Arvelo, who they say advertised items from a burglary this week on a website called “Offerup.”
On Monday, a woman and her daughter discovered a break-in at their home in the 100 block of Balsam Drive. Deputies who responded found marks around windows indicating the burglar pried them open to get inside the house, according to the affidavit.
Electronics, including a Microsoft Xbox 360 and a Nintendo PlayStation, jewelry and other items worth hundreds of dollars were gone, the residents told deputies. A Chase Visa debit card also was taken and the owner found out from the bank that it had been used at a Family Dollar Store at 750 S. Goldenrod Road, according to the affidavit. On Wednesday, the residents told deputies they saw their belongings for sale on a website called “Offerup.” The seller went by the profile name “Larry,” according to the affidavit.
A deputy contacted Tavarez-Arvelo posing as a potential customer interested in the gaming systems.
Tavarez-Arvelo agreed to meet at an O’Reilly’s Auto Parts store to sell the Xbox for $50. He was detained at the store and spoke to detectives.
Deputies searched TavarezArvelo mother’s house and found several items reported as stolen items, including gaming accessories and jewelry.
He was arrested and faces charges of second-degree burglary of a dwelling and second-degree attempted dealing in stolen property. He was booked in the Orange County Jail on $11,000 bond.