Two arrested for attempted burglary at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport

BROOKSVILLE – Two “would be” burglars were arrested Saturday night while attempting to siphon gasoline at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.

After completing several patrols of the fence line near U.S. 41 and American Aviation, Deputy Jay Weber noticed an abandoned Jeep Wrangler tucked back in the wood line with the windows and tailgate open that had not been there previously.

The deputy called for back-up, and a closer look at the vehicle revealed an empty gas can and an eight foot section of garden hose in the back of the Wrangler.

Units from the Aviation Unit and K-9 responded to the area, and found Gordon Siedzik, 33, in thick brush against the fence line of the airport, according to Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Siedzik was detained by deputies, who later found additional gasoline containers near where Siedzik was found.

Siedzik told deputies he and Brian Hale, 31, arrived at the airport to go into the secured area of the airport and steal gasoline for Hale’s vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.

Siedzik also told deputies that when he saw the patrol car, he and Hale fled into the woods.

He did not know where Hale was at that time, or what direction he went in.

Approximately two hours later, Hale was located near Spring Hill Drive, and adjacent to the airport property.

Hale also told deputies he had been inside the fenced area when they arrived, and fled when he saw the patrol car, climbing over the fence where he left the gasoline container.

Siedzik and Hale were taken to the Hernando County Jail, each held on $5,000 bond for charges of attempted burglary.