AR-15 was stolen from deputy’s unlocked car
Suspect lead police to rifle, other weapons with instagram post
A semiautomatic assault rifle was taken from a Palm Beach County sheriff ’s deputy who had left his car unlocked, sheriff ’s officials said. Also taken were a police-issued helmet, gas mask, clips and a training gun. A teenager has been charged after police saw him bragging on his Instagram account, authorities said. The deputy got a reprimand.
A Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s deputy faces a written reprimand after his police-issued AR-15 ended up in the hands of a burglar dancing in an Instagram video.
Deputy Heriberto Santiago, 50, didn’t lock his car while he was working an off-duty job at a shopping center in the 4700 block of North Congress Avenue on Aug. 14, Sheriff ’s Office records show.
The suspected burglar posted an Instagram video of himself dancing with the rifle, leading police to it, a ballistic helmet, gas mask, rifle clips and a training gun stolen from the unmarked car’s trunk.
Investigators recommended Santiago receive a written reprimand for violating policies. He could face more discipline for his careless handling of Sheriff’s Office equipment pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, according to spokeswoman Teri Barbera.
Santiago said he was busy and could not talk Thursday night.
A longtime Sheriff’s Office deputy and former Delray Beach police officer, he earns $93,136 annually, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The suspected burglar, Moses Clay Jr., 17, of Riviera Beach, is facing charges of burglary with a firearm and grand theft, according to a police affidavit.
Santiago had been on an approved off-duty detail at a shopping center between 4:45 and 9 p.m., Sheriff’s Office records show. He discovered the items missing shortly after he returned home that night.
Boynton Beach police say surveillance video showed Clay leaving the parking lot in a car they later tracked to Riviera Beach.
Surveillance video from the area led police to focus on Clay. Examining his Instagram account, they found a video of Clay showing off a similar gun while dancing and rapping to music, according to a probable cause affidavit. Police identified the gun from the video by its customized features, which matched those of the deputy’s.