Five Florida criminals made police work easy by practically handing investigators the evidence needed to arrest them.
Five Florida criminals made police work easy by practically handing investigators the evidence needed to arrest them.
Everywhere, FL: Florida is a great state – beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, no state income tax and a reputation for being one of the most police and veteran friendly states in America.
But for whatever reason, the Sunshine State also seems to produce an impressive collection of criminals who make spectacularly bad decisions.
Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s something in the water. We don’t know.
What we do know is that being a good police detective isn’t easy. Detectives need extensive training, experience, strong instincts and the ability to recognize inconsistencies and use deductive reasoning to piece together evidence. Sometimes they spend days, weeks or even years tracking down a suspect.
Other times, the criminal basically solves the case for them.
Here are five classic examples of Florida criminals who practically handed over the evidence in a nicely wrapped package for the police.
1. The Butt-Dial Burglars
In 2010, two suspects were burglarizing a vehicle in Daytona Beach when one of them accidentally called, or more precisely, butt-dialed 911.
Dispatchers reportedly listened as the pair, identified as Stephanie Vargas and an underage accomplice, rummage through the vehicle and discussed what was worth stealing. At one point, one suspect was even heard making brilliant decisions.
“You gotta break that SIM card. Take that SIM card outta there. They can trace it,” one suspect said.
But the duo had a big problem on their hands; they were already talking to the police.
Officers responded and arrested the suspects with property believed to have been stolen still in their possession.
2. The Username/ Password Robber
In 2014, Felipe Cruz attempted to rob a Chase bank in Pompano Beach by handing a teller (who was behind a bullet-proof glass btw) a demand note that stated, “Give me the 100s 50s 20s now. Do not set the alarm. Hurry!!!”.
But the teller refused, and the suspect fled. Sounds simple enough – but it wasn’t.
Unfortunately for Cruz, investigators said the note had been written on an employment-search document containing a handwritten username that included “CRUZFELIPE36” — helping point investigators toward Cruz.
Even better, the paperwork reportedly contained a handwritten password, and investigators recovered fingerprints from it.
At that point, he might as well have left a résumé.
3. The Social Media Burglar
If you steal something, posting pictures of yourself with the stolen property on social media is generally discouraged. Steven Jeffcott apparently missed that memo.
Pasco County authorities said Jeffcott burglarized a home in 2019, stealing three firearms and a watch.
Less than four hours later, authorities said, a gleeful Jeffcott posted images of himself with some of the guns on Snapchat without a care in the world.
The victim later saw the pictures online, recognized the firearms and notified authorities. To no one’s surprise, Jeffcott was easily tracked down and arrested.
Sometimes detectives have to painstakingly track stolen property. Other times, apparently, they can just check Snapchat.
4. I’ll Be Back – With Evidence
Oh, this one’s good. Ronnie Dillon Willis allegedly stole a Jeep in Winter Haven in 2019 but did so carelessly as many crooks do. But his response to a bad decision was to make a worse decision.
During the commission of the auto theft, Willis dropped his cell phone and left it behind.
We all know how important our cell phones are, but sometimes it may be best to just let it go.
While a deputy was at the victim’s house investigating the stolen Jeep, Willis returned to recover his lost cell phone – while driving the stolen Jeep.
Police were already at the scene taking the report from the victim. They then approached Willis and questioned him about why he was driving the Jeep. He told them “that he woke up inside a vehicle on the residence, but he couldn’t remember if it was the same Jeep he stole or a minivan also parked on the property.”
The victim told police they didn’t know nor ever met Willis. He was swiftly arrested, case closed.
5. “911? I’d Like to Report Myself”
On New Year’s Eve 2017, Michael Lester called 911 in Polk County to report a drunk driver, who also happened to be Michael Lester.
Lester told the dispatcher he was driving around intoxicated and, when asked where he was, he reportedly said, “I’m too drunk. I don’t know where I’m at.”
The dispatcher kept him talking while directing deputies toward him. During the conversation, the dispatcher asked where he was that night.
“Driving around, trying to get pulled over actually,” he responded. H
As Lester was getting arrested, admitted to having two beer, then added that it may have been three or four, and topped it all off by telling police he swallowed meth, too.
He was charged with DUI and other traffic offenses. At least he was cooperative.
No matter how sophisticated law enforcement becomes, some crimes will get solved without outside help.