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5 Arrests Made In Vandalism, Theft At Pinellas Schools

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

PALM HARBOR - Three men and two minor boys have been arrested on charges they broke into Pepsi vending machines at three Pinellas County high schools during the past several weeks.

The men were identified as Christopher R. Kuzma, 26, of Oldsmar; David P. Thibodeau, 18, of Palm Harbor; and Jeffrey M. Isaacs, 19, of Palm Harbor. The names of the others are not being published because they are minors. One is 16 and the other 17.

The charges against the five include commercial burglary, dealing in stolen property, possession of burglary tools and possession of drug paraphernalia, said Pinellas County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Marianne Pasha.

The five vandalized machines at East Lake High School, Tarpon Springs High School and Palm Harbor University High School during the past couple weeks, Pasha said. There was an estimated $7,000 in damage, and more than $2,500 in currency and coins was stolen, she said.

Sheriff's investigators canvassed neighborhoods to track down information leading to the arrests, Pasha said. The quintet used burglary tools such as crowbars to break into the machines. The money was used to buy drugs, primarily cocaine, she said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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