William Leon, of Plant City, was arrested last week in connection to five burglaries, resulting in 16 felony charges and six misdemeanors.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Det. Joe Testa was conducting surveillance March 21, at the Lighthouse Family Store, 535 E. Brandon Blvd., in Brandon, because of five recent burglaries.
Testa and employees of a neighboring auto mechanic shop witnessed Leon cutting the lock of a chain-link fence at the store and backing his truck up to the store’s loading dock.
Leon was observed attempting to load up assorted metal items, such as metal tins and cookware.
While inside the fenced area, the auto mechanic employees ran to the gate and held it closed to keep Leon from escaping.
Testa drove up to the gate and was able to enter and arrest Leon without incident.