PALATKA, Fla. — A 25-year-old man is facing charges of burglary and grand theft after a crime spree that ended Saturday.
News4Jax reported that deputies began an investigation when Pomona Park (Fla.) Fire Chief Melvin Asher reported that his van had been burglarized. His fire radio and several flashlights had been stolen.
Chief Asher told deputies he spotted Billie Ray Ayala walking away from the area carrying two bags. Asher confronted Ayala, who said he had been dropped off and was trying to get home. Asher called the sheriff’s office and watched Ayala placed the bags on the ground and walked into a wooded area.
Ayala was later caught driving a stolen Chevrolet Camaro and was charged with one count of burglary of an occupied dwelling, two counts of burglary of unoccupied structures, three counts of burglary of conveyances, two counts of grand theft, two counts of petty theft and one count of grand theft auto, according to the report.
All of the property stolen during the crime spree was recovered. Ayala is being held in a county jail in lieu of $13,044.00 bond.