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The Villages
Sunday, May 5, 2024

Teen arrested in drug-fueled burglaries at businesses in Summerfield

Robert Winters
Robert Winters

An 18-year-old is being held on $78,500 bond after at least 10 commercial burglaries in Summerfield.

Robert Winters was arrested by Marion County sheriff’s deputies Friday night at his home in Summerfield.

The burglaries occurred overnight Thursday at businesses at Martin Oaks Plaza located on U.S. Hwy. 441 and Liberty Plaza located 8145 SE 151st Lane Road in Summerfield.

Businesses broken into included Almost Perfect Furniture, Sherwin-Williams, Aiken Chiropractic, Doc’s Restoration, American Barber Shop, and Eugene’s Golf Carts and Accessories.

Video surveillance from one of the businesses showed a white male suspect inside the business rummaging through the cash drawer and behind the desk. Property Crimes detectives were able to identify the suspect as Winters, who was taken into custody without incident.

Robert Winters was captured on a surveillance camera at one of the business.
Robert Winters was captured on a surveillance camera at one of the business.

During a follow-up interview, detectives were able to charge Winters with all 10 commercial burglaries as well as two additional burglaries he acknowledged committing as well. Winters told detectives he had committed the burglaries looking for money or items to sell or trade because of his drug problem. Winters advised detectives while on his crime spree he would even take breaks during these burglaries to use drugs.

Winters is being held at the Marion County Jail, on 21 charges to including commercial burglary, burglary of a structure, burglary of a residence, grand theft and petit theft.

If anyone has any further information about these burglaries, call Detective Burleson at (352) 732-9111.

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