Arrest made in February Grand Theft Case

After asking for the community to help identify a suspect on social media, an arrest is made.

A woman from Punta Gorda returned home after visiting Culvers on February 1st, to the realization that she was not in possession of her purse. She called the establishment to inquire if her purse had been turned in. They were advised it had not been found. The victim later received a call informing her that purse had been turned in to employees after being located in the bathroom. The victim returned to Culvers to retrieve her purse and was extremely grateful to the employees.

When the victim went to retrieve a reward for the employees, she noticed that $600 cash and hundreds of dollars in gift cards were missing from inside.

Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage and was able to view the victim leave the restaurant leaving her purse behind. A suspect is later seen walking past the table, grabbing the purse and enters into the bathroom, exiting several minutes later without the purse.

After posting on social media, several tips were received leading to the identification of the suspects family, ultimately identifying the suspect as Tiffiney Lea Horner (10/17/1981).

“Integrity is doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. Theft is not a victimless crime and it’s our duty to protect our community from those, who when given the opportunity, they make the wrong choice,” states Sheriff Bill Prummell.

Horner was interviewed and subsequently arrested on the following charge: Grand Theft Property More than $750 but Less Than $5000

Horner has an extensive criminal history. Horner was also arrested on April 16,2020 for Criminal Attempt Solicit Conspire 3RD DEG FEL in an unrelated grand theft case from 2019.