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5 Nabbed In Pinellas School Vending Machine Thefts

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2008

TAMPA Detectives have arrested five people accused of prying open high school vending machines and stealing more than $2,000, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

The six vending machine thefts, which caused about $7,000 in damage, occurred between Jan. 14 and Feb. 7 at Tarpon Springs High School and East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs and at Palm Harbor University High School, detectives said.

One of the suspects, Christopher Kuzma, 26, of 1707 Hibiscus Circle N., Oldsmar, had his fingerprints traced to a Sept. 7 residential burglary in Tarpon Springs where $30,000 in cash, jewelry, household goods and sports memorabilia was taken, detectives said.

Kuzma was charged with two counts of commercial burglary, residential burglary, loitering and prowling, possession of a switchblade knife and violating his probation on possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also arrested were David Thibodeau, 18, of 4941 Felicity Way, Palm Harbor, charged with three counts of commercial burglary and one count of possession of burglary tools; Jeffrey M. Isaacs, 20, of 4274 Enfield Court, Palm Harbor, charged with one count of commercial burglary; Joseph J. Libertino, 18, of 13033 Lucille Drive, Hudson, charged with two counts of commercial burglary; and Michael McCormack, 17, of 4477 Fallbrook Blvd., Palm Harbor, charged with two counts of commercial burglary.

Detectives were investigating a possible drug transaction Jan. 31 when Kuzma and Thibodeau were questioned, leading authorities to the three other suspects, authorities said.

Kuzma, Thibodeau, Isaacs and Libertino were being held today in Pinellas County Jail. McCormack was being held in a juvenile detention facility, the sheriff's office said. Kuzma's bail is set at $32,800, Thibodeau's at $42,000, Isaacs' at $10,000 and Libertino's at $3,000.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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