Suspected multi-county burglary ring busted

FLORIDA — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), in collaboration with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Wales Police Department, has arrested five individuals suspected of being part of a large-scale Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) burglary ring operating across seven counties.

The arrested suspects include De Jauhn Akins, 31, of Bartow; Chad Barnett, 29, of Lake Wales; Antonio Ray, 34, of Lake Wales; Jamar Hasley, 33, of Lake Wales; and Xavier Ulysse, 28, of Lake Wales.

Each is facing charges of first-degree felony racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.

The investigation, which originated in March 2019, was triggered by a series of commercial burglaries with strikingly similar characteristics reported by various agencies across different jurisdictions. In each case, a group of three to five unidentified individuals are said to have forcibly entered businesses by shattering an exterior glass panel using objects like bricks.

Once inside, they targeted safes and cash drawers. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and evidence were gathered from the crime scenes, and investigators said they could link the crimes based on the similarities of each burglary.

Utilizing investigative and forensic techniques, the suspects were conclusively identified and linked to these criminal activities, said the FDLE. The alleged criminal ring is believed to be responsible for approximately 30 burglaries across 11 different jurisdictions, spanning Polk, Volusia, Hernando, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, and Sarasota counties.

“FDLE Orlando endeavors to work with and strengthen our relationships with our partner agencies to bring justice and accountability to those who wish to bring ruin to our citizens,” said FDLE Orlando Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio.

“We continue to do our due diligence to ensure peace and protection for the people of Central Florida.”

The suspects were arrested on October 6 and booked into the Polk County Jail without bond. The case will be prosecuted by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.