ALERT NEIGHBOR NOTIFIES DEPUTIES OF BURGLARY IN PROGRESS
On 11-30-15 just before 5 p.m., the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an alert neighbor regarding a suspicious vehicle in the driveway of a vacant home on Jocelyn Way in Spring Hill.
Deputies arrived on scene to find the described (suspicious) vehicle in the driveway and to hear very loud banging noises and crashing sounds coming from within the residence.
When deputies attempted to make contact inside the residence, three individuals fled out the back. Deputy Timothy Istvan ordered the three individuals to stop, and return. All three complied.
While in the backyard with the individuals, Deputy Istvan located a prescription bottle with marijuana in it (prescription originally belonged to one individual’s mother), and a large glass bong which had been used to smoke marijuana. Both items had been dropped when the individuals ran out of the residence.
Once inside the residence, deputies noted extensive damage. The damage included several holes in the drywall throughout the house, broken windows, broken mirrors, and a shattered sliding door. The damage was estimated at approximately $10,000.
The three suspects, identified as Anthony Perillo W/M DOB/03-18-1999, Mateo Serrano W/M DOB/08-04-2000, and Andrew Viglione W/M DOB/11-19-1998 were placed into custody and transported to the District Two office for questioning.
All three juveniles confessed to their involvement in the crimes and to smoking marijuana just before the deputies arrived.
Perillo and Serrano also confessed that they had gone into the residence three to five times prior to vandalize it, causing significant damage.
“Here is a perfect example of how reporting suspicious activity pays off. Neighbors know, better than anyone, when something is out of place. Thanks to a vigilant Hernando County resident, these young criminals will be held accountable for their crimes. Residents should never hesitate to call us if they suspect criminal activity.” ~ Sheriff Al Nienhuis
All three juveniles were arrested and charged as follows:
• Burglary to a Dwelling, Causing over $1000 Damage
• Possession of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
All three juveniles were transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Ocala.
