A 30-year-old man suspected in multiple burglaries was identified by a witness during a photographic lineup and arrested in connection with the theft of multiple Christmas gifts from an Apopka home.
Dekevious Johnell Burton was arrested on Friday, December 16, by Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies executing a search warrant on charges of grand theft and criminal mischief.
Apopka Police Department officers responded to a home on Seburn Road in reference to a residential burglary on Wednesday, December 14, at around 11:42 a.m.
According to a warrant filed by APD, a witness reported observing a suspect, later identified as Burton, enter the backyard of the victim’s residence. Burton allegedly broke a rear, glass-sliding door to gain entry into the home, placed multiple Christmas gifts and a safe inside a garbage can, and wheeled the garbage can out of the home.
During their investigation, officer located the garbage can and found the safe inside. None of the Christmas gifts were in the trash can.
While reviewing video surveillance, APD officers noticed that the suspect appeared to be “consistent in size, stature, and appearance” to Burton. According to the police, Burton is “well-known to Apopka police officers and he is suspected in multiple residential burglaries.” Officers say that Burton has a “similar modus operandi” and suspect description to multiple burglaries across the area.
Burton’s last known address was less than 3/4 of a mile away from the victim’s address, according to police.
On December 15, an officer met with the witness and conducted a photographic lineup. The witness selected the photograph of Burton, identifying him as the suspect they saw entering the victim’s backyard.
A warrant was issued for Burton’s arrest and on Friday, December 16, he was taken into custody. He is currently being held at the Orange County Jail.