Three arrested in connection to 19 vehicles burglaries in Lakewood Park
Sheriff Ken Mascara announced that three Indian River County men have been arrested in connection to a string of 19 vehicle burglaries from the Lakewood Park neighborhood in Northwest St. Lucie County.
According to the Sheriff, on July 17, deputies responded to a reported vehicle burglary at 6603 Pensacola Road in Lakewood Park.
“While driving to the call, deputies spotted a white male standing on the side of the road near the intersection of Pensacola Road and Eastwood Drive,” said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara.
According to the Sheriff, the male was identified as Alexander Parnell, 19.
“Parnell was carrying a bag and when asked to look inside the bag to make sure there were no weapons, deputies located various items consistent with what was reported stolen,” Mascara said.
According to the Sheriff, Parnell was questioned by detectives and admitted to “car hopping” with two friends.
“Car hopping is where an individual goes from car to car checking to see if any doors are unlocked and then pilfering through any that are open for items of value,” Mascara said.
According to the Sheriff, Parnell later identified for detectives the two friends as Calius Judon, 18, and John Crankfield, 19. All three live in Indian River County.
John Crankfield, Three arrested in connection to 19 vehicles burglaries
The Sheriff said that Crankfield and Judon are cousins and live near Parnell and have conducted similar car-hopping sprees in Indian River County.
“Parnell stated to our detectives that Judon was in search of a gun and the others were simply looking for money or anything of value,” Mascara said. “Fortunately, he was unable to locate one, since it’s unclear exactly why he wanted a firearm.”
Calius Judon, Three arrested in connection to 19 vehicles burglaries
According to the Sheriff, detectives gathered sufficient information to issue warrants for Judon and Crankfield and both were arrested by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
“The efficient and diligent work of our first-responding road patrol units, our detectives and our crime scene technicians allowed us to make arrests in this string of burglaries within just two weeks,” Mascara said. “This should serve as a warning that if you commit a burglary in St. Lucie County, we will find you and you will be arrested.”
“As always, we encourage our residents to make sure they lock their vehicles and secure their valuables,” Mascara said. “In each of these 19 cases, the vehicles were unlocked and made for a perfect opportunity for these criminals.”
Parnell is being held at the St. Lucie County Jail on a $215,000 bond. Judon and Crankfield were booked into the Indian River County Jail each on a $10,000 bond.
