It’s ‘OK’ To Steal, Suspect In Tampa Burglaries Says
By Josh Poltilove, Tampa Tribune, Fla.
Oct. 23–TAMPA — A local man facing burglary charges told police that stealing from cars wasn’t wrong, Tampa police say.
Kevin Renaldo Mapes, 20, told an officer “that if someone is stupid enough to leave their car unlocked, it’s OK to take their stuff,” an arrest affidavit states.
Mapes and 20-year-old Michael L. Hayden of Apollo Beach were arrested Sunday.
Mapes was charged with two felony counts of armed burglary of a dwelling, one felony count of armed burglary of a vehicle and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest without violence.
Hayden was charged with two felony counts of burglary of a dwelling and one felony count of burglary of a vehicle.
Each faces a misdemeanor count of petty theft.
According to the affidavit: On Sunday, the men entered a silver Dodge and stole a purse valued at less than $100. Then they entered an apartment through an unlocked garage door, ransacked it and stole less than $50 in change.
Finally, they entered another residence through a window screen and took credit cards, the affidavit states.
During Hayden’s arrest, officers searched his pants pockets and found several credit cards that didn’t belong to him. Police also found a large folding knife in Mapes’ front left pocket, according to the affidavit. Mapes tried to flee from officers.
Hayden is in Orient Road Jail with bail set at $17,250. Mapes remains in Orient Road Jail with no bail set.
Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com. Follow crime throughout the day at Keyword: Crime Blog.
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