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2nd teen arrested in vandalism of reservist's house

News Channel 8 photo by DAVID KRAUT

Army reservist Arleen Agosto, 43, returned home from Fort Eustis, Va., last week to find her home ransacked.

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2009

WESLEY CHAPEL - Pasco County Sheriff's Office detectives have made another arrest in the vandalism case of an Army reservist's home in the Meadow Pointe subdivision of Wesley Chapel.

Ricardo Hernandez, 17, 27837 Sky Lake Circle, Wesley Chapel, was arrested today on charges of residential burglary, felony criminal mischief and grand theft.

Stolen property was found in his home, according to sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll. Hernandez lives less than three miles from the damaged home.

On June 11, Army reservist Arleen Agosto, 43, returned home from Fort Eustis, Va., where she was treating wounded soldiers, and discovered her home ransacked. Inside the home on Allegro Drive, pink paint was splattered on the walls, ceiling, furniture, appliances and televisions. Some walls had been partially burned. Feces and urine was found on the family's beds and some of Agosto's 3-year-old daughter's toys had been crushed or stolen. Family pictures were destroyed and laptops, video games and a video camera were missing. In all, the house sustained more than $15,000 in damage.

On Wednesday, Pasco deputies arrested 15-year-old Joseph Taylor Duncan, who lives on Agosto's street, in connection to the case. He faces charges of burglary of a dwelling, felony criminal mischief and grand theft. Several items were discovered in his home as well, according to Doll.

Doll has said more arrests are expected and detectives have a suspect who's younger than 10. The youngest likely won't be arrested, Doll said, but the charges will be referred to the State Attorney's Office.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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