News

Actions

Suspects arrested in connection to series of thefts

Suspects arrested in connection to series of thefts
Posted at 3:00 PM, Apr 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-20 11:21:02-04

WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Four suspects are facing charges in connection to a series of vending machine thefts in Wakulla and Leon counties. 

Melissa DeGraw, Carl Tanner, Justin Gower, and Eric Cardin are accused of using tools such as crowbars and pliers to break into vending machines and steal cash.

On Dec. 19, 2017, the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office received a report that a coin machine had been damaged and money was stolen at the Salt Blaster Boat Wash in St. Marks.  

Video surveillance from the store showed a pick-up truck backing up to the coin machine around 1:57 a.m. that morning. 

Gower and Tanner were seen using a crowbar and pliers to steal money.   

The damage to the coin machine was estimated at $4,000.   

Deputies say Gower fled Wakulla County in an attempt to avoid arrest and prosecution. 

On April 14, an ice vending machine was damaged and money was stolen from Jerry’s Bait & Tackle in Crawfordville. Deputies said damage to the vending machine was approximately $600. 

On the same day, the Leon County Sheriff's Office investigated a series of vending machine thefts that happened in a similar manner to the ones in Wakulla County in which Gower and DeGraw were suspects. 

On April 17, with the assistance of LCSO Detectives and the Leon County SPIDER Unit, WCSO arrested Gower and DeGraw.  

While interviewing with deputies, DeGraw admitted to the theft on April 14 from Jerry’s Bait & Tackle, as well as other crimes.

Gower also confessed while talking to deputies to the criminal mischief and theft on Dec. 19, 2017, from the Salt Blaster Boat Wash, and on April 14 at Jerry’s Bait & Tackle.  

Through continued investigation, deputies learned of an unreported incident at the Salt Blaster Boat Wash on April 6.  

Wednesday, Cardin was arrested and interviewed by deputies in relation to the criminal mischief and theft incident on April 6. 

Cardin admitted to deputies to the the crimes at the Salt Blaster Boat Wash on April 6.  

Three of the four suspects are in custody on various charges including criminal mischief, larceny, and molesting a coin machine with theft. 

Deputies say they are going to make a probable cause arrest for Tanner at the appropriate time.