Accused of Stealing Appliances from Homes Under Construction

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for stealing multiple appliances from a home under construction in the Clair Mel area of Hillsborough County.

Around 3 a.m. on May 25, deputies located a white van and trailer parked on a posted construction site near Cat Mint Street and Romano Busciglio Street in Tampa. Mathew Brown, 26, was sitting in the passenger seat of the van.

After canvassing the neighborhood, deputies located two dollies in the rear of a home under construction and pry marks on a door in the back of the home. Several appliances were missing from the kitchen, including a microwave, dishwasher, stove/oven, and refrigerator. The trailer attached to the van was also determined to be stolen.

Brown was arrested and is now facing charges for trespassing on a construction site and grand theft.

“Crimes like this are not victimless, and they directly contribute to the price of construction going up,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The loss to the contractors is often passed onto their customers looking to buy or remodel homes. I applaud the work of our deputies who located Mathew Brown, quickly connected him to these crimes, and returned the appliances to their rightful owner.”

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