A California man is facing several burglary related charges this morning after deputies observed him stealing items from vehicles in the Winn Dixie parking lot on Bermont Road in Punta Gorda on Wednesday. Isaac Ray Clark (DOB 7/3/79) is currently in custody at the Charlotte County Jail. Deputies believe there may be additional victims that have not realized items were removed from their vehicles.
Two Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies were in an unmarked vehicle in the Winn Dixie parking lot on Wednesday afternoon when they observed Clark riding a three-wheel bicycle through the lot. The bicycle was motorized and towing a cart. The deputies observed Clark approach a pickup truck and look inside the truck bed, then return to his cart and pick up a pair of bolt cutters. Clark then returned to the bed of the truck and leaned in, appearing to cut something in the truck bed. Clark was then observed removing a Rtic Cooler from the truck and placed it in his cart. The deputies activated their emergency lights on their unmarked vehicle and stopped Clark from leaving the scene.
The deputies were able to make contact with the owner of the truck and they pressed charges for the theft of the cooler. Deputies further observed Ryobi tools in the cart as well as a hypodermic needle containing heroin residue (field tested positive). During the investigation, the deputies were approached by another victim who identified the tools in Clark’s cart as belonging to him.
Isaac Clark is charged with Burglary to an Unoccupied Conveyance Unarmed (2 counts), Grand Theft, Petit Theft, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
It is unclear if this is the first time that Clark has burglarized additional vehicles in the area. Anyone believing they may be a victim of theft from the plaza area is encouraged to contact our agency by calling our non-emergency number, 941-639-0013.
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