Handgun among items stolen by Fruit Cove teens

The latest teenagers to be arrested are charged with the burglary of the home of a 44 year-old former Nease High School teacher in the 1200 block of Loch Tanna Loop in Fruit Cove.

Reported stolen in the October 25th burglary were; three IPods, assorted jewelry, prescription medication and a .380 handgun.

“It’s a combination of good investigative work, evidence collection and helpful tips from the public,” Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Kelshaw told Historic City News editor Michael Gold, when he called to report three more burglary arrests over the past two days.

Gold asked Kelshaw if the unusually high number recent juvenile arrests are the result of a special task force created to investigate the burglaries; but Kelshaw contends it is not.

After receiving anonymous information identifying two of the three teenagers as Jordan Michael Golden, 16, 1140 Friendship Dr., and Cameron Matthew Straughn, 15, 2005 South Jimmy La., Corporal Greg Suchy investigated further and learned that one of them was not at Creekside on the day of the burglary.

The other juvenile does not attend school, according to the incident report.

The boys were contacted Monday, admitted to the burglary, and confirmed the identity of the third teen; 16 year-old Gavin Michael Loftus who resides at 620 Acorn Court.

When contacted yesterday, the third teen gave deputies false information concerning the stolen handgun. Today, he admitted to deputies that he was in possession of the gun, and then he was arrested.

Golden and Straughn were each charged with armed burglary to a dwelling, dealing in stolen property and grand theft. They were turned over to Juvenile Justice Authorities yesterday.

Loftus was charged with dealing in stolen property and obstruction by giving false information to a law enforcement officer today. He was released to a parent after he was booked.

Some of the property, including the gun, has been recovered and returned to the victim as the investigation continues.