SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Sarasota Police Department has arrested one man and are looking for another after discovering more than $100,000 in stolen construction tools and lawn equipment stemming from an investigation started in February.
During the investigation, Sarasota PD recovered stolen property from 12 different burglary cases, totaling more than 65 items from 11 separate victims.
Business employees at Southwest Concrete and Masonry reported four separate burglaries to their business where various construction tools were stolen in February and March.
Later in March, various construction tools including concrete saws, jack hammers, miter saws and impact sockets were also stolen from other businesses.
On March 19, using covert surveillance equipment, detectives were notified that a concrete saw was in the process of being stolen.
They found the saw had been transported to a storage unit. Detectives arrived and found 57-year-old Lazaro Rodriguez moving items back and forth between a truck and storage unit, including two concrete saws.
They also saw multiple tools and lawn equipment at the unit.
A search warrant was conducted the next day, where more than $100,000 in construction tools and lawn equipment was found. They also found a plastic bottle containing several pieces of cocaine, along with $3,452.
Rodriguez has been charged with dealing in stolen property, organized dealing in stolen property, and possession of controlled substance with intent to sell.
Detectives are also looking for Ricardo Ruiz, 31. He is wanted in connection to the case for supplying stolen property from the various burglaries.
