Two arrested in string of Hernando vehicle burglaries

Two people have been arrested in a string of vehicle burglaries in Hernando County, but the sheriff’s office is still seeking information on other burglaries.

Nighttime patrols were increased after a increase in vehicle burglaries in July, the sheriff’s office said, and the efforts led to the arrests of Stephen O’Brien, 36, and Raymond Hancock, 16.

O’Brien has been charged with three counts of burglary of conveyance, three counts of defrauding a pawnbroker and dealing in stolen property, dealing in stolen property, grand theft of jewelry, possession of methadone, burglary of a dwelling and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Hancock was charged with two counts of burglary of a conveyance, armed burglary of a conveyance and providing a false name to a deputy,

Both suspects admitted to additional crimes, but only the aforementioned charges have been made so far, deputies said. The investigation is continuing.

Deputies ask anyone who received property from O’Brien or Hancock to contact the District Two Investigations Unit at (352) 754-6830. Anyone with information on any of the vehicle burglaries can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or http://www.hernandosheriff.org/Tips.