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Arrest Made In String Of Auto Burglaries In West Shore Area

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 22, 2008

Updated: 08/22/2008 02:54 pm

  Arianna Alvarez

TAMPA - An auto burglary at the Tuscany Point Apartments last week has led to the discovery of a rash of connected auto burglaries in the West Shore area, police said, with at least 20 vehicles broken into by the same people.

The only person arrested so far is a National Guard enlistee, according to records and the National Guard.

The investigation began Aug. 14, when an auto burglary was reported at 3350 W. Hillsborough Ave., police said.

About $950 worth of property was taken from a Mazda Protege. A short time later, the victim's credit cards were used at a McDonald's restaurant and two Wal-Marts, a police report said. Using surveillance video from those stores, Detective Sal Mazza obtained descriptions of the suspect and a getaway vehicle.

On Wednesday, Mazza, and Detective Pat Lynch tracked down a suspect, Arianna Josefina Alvarez, 18, of 4016 W. Laurel St., police said.

Authorities retrieved some of the items stolen from the Tuscany Point Apartments, the report said.

Alvarez was charged with burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, three charges of grand theft, five charges of fraudulent use of a credit card, all felonies, and two charges of petit theft, both misdemeanors.

The ongoing investigation found that Alvarez had at least two accomplices, a report said. They are responsible for at least 20 auto burglaries in the West Shore area, according to the report.

Alvarez was released from jail Thursday on an $18,500 bond, according to jail records, but her freedom was short-lived.

About 11 hours after walking out of jail, Alvarez was arrested again, this time charged with nine counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, six counts of grand theft, all felonies, and two counts of petit theft, both misdemeanors.

"After she posted bond, detectives found new information and she was rearrested," police spokeswoman Janelle McGregor said.

Alvarez told police that she was involved in the crimes but refused to name her accomplices, according to a report.

She is in the Orient Road Jail today. Bail is set at $31,500.

McGregor said more arrests are expected.

Alvarez enlisted in the National Guard as a supply technician but has yet to report to training, Maj. Bryan Blaney said.

After being informed about Alvarez's arrest by a reporter, Blaney said he was going to inform her unit commander.

"They will process her as they see fit," Blaney said.

Editor Howard Altman can be reached at (813) 259-7629 or haltman@tampatrib.com.

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