In early October, District Two Property Crimes Detectives identified a Grand Theft Auto group operating in Hernando County. The detectives worked day and night over the next few weeks to identify and apprehend suspects and recover the stolen vehicles.
On 10-07-19, detectives responded to 1068 Roosevelt Avenue in Masaryktown in an attempt to locate two suspects, Sarah Mack and Kenny Harbaugh. Upon arrival, detectives did locate Mack, who was placed under arrest for a Pasco County warrant. Harbaugh was not at the residence.
While at the residence, detectives located the front bumper to a Kia Forte. The Kia Forte had previously been reported stolen in Hernando County.
On this same date, detectives located and arrested Jacklyn Ware, another suspect in this case. Ware was located at 15158 Highfield Road in Brooksville
On 10-11-19, detectives received an anonymous tip regarding the location of another suspect, Kenny “KJ” Martin. The tipster advised Martin could be located at a residence in Pasco County, just over the county line. HCSO detectives contacted the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and quickly developed an operational plan to respond to said residence and locate Martin.
Detectives from both agencies, a Pasco Sheriff’s K-9 team, along with additional resources responded to 18515 Skinner Road in Pasco County. Detectives made contact with a person on the property who confirmed that a female was inside a mobile home on the property, along with Martin. Martin, who was hiding in a bedroom, eventually exited the mobile home and was placed into custody. Martin refused to speak to detectives.
The homeowner consented to a search of the property, at which time detectives located two stolen motorcycles. A 2004 Kawasaki Z1000 (stolen from Hernando County) and a 2007 Honda CBR (stolen from Alachua County) were both recovered.
A person on the property did confirm that Martin was using the Kawasaki on a daily basis and that he brought the Honda there, but they did not know where it came from.
On 10-15-19, Deputy N. Feola observed a dark-colored Nissan with a paper tag attached exiting the parking lot of the 7-11 located at 4710 Commercial Way in Spring Hill. The numbers on the tag were worn off and appeared to be blank. Deputy Feola was able to positively identify the driver of the Nissan as Kristen McKinney and attempted to initiate a Traffic Stop. The driver fled northbound and was never located.
Deputy Feola went back to the 7-11 and reviewed video surveillance. After reviewing the video, Deputy Feola believed the person in the passenger seat of the Nissan was Kenny Harbaugh. Knowing that District Two detectives had several open cases involving Harbaugh, Deputy Feola passed along the information to them.
On 10-18-19, detectives responded to 6576 Landover Boulevard in Spring Hill, the residence of Mitchell Thompson’s parents, in an attempt to locate Thompson and McKinney. The parents told detectives that Thompson did not live there but did stop by occasionally and that both Thompson and McKinney had been by the day before in a dark-colored Nissan Altima.
Detectives received an anonymous tip that Thompson and McKinney were staying at a residence on Greenwood Street in Brooksville. Investigation revealed that Thompson’s mother recently purchased a residence located at 12261 Greenwood Street. As detectives arrived at this location, they observed Thompson standing on the porch. Thompson immediately retreated inside the residence and shut the door.
A perimeter was established around the residence and dialogue was attempted. Thompson refused to respond. All the while, detectives could hear movement inside the residence and see two people looking through the blinds from a rear bedroom. Detectives also observed, through a garage door window, a dark-colored Nissan Altima in the garage.
Several attempts were made to have the suspects exit the residence. They refused to do so.
Detectives contacted Thompson’s mother and requested she respond to the scene. She did so and gave consent for detectives to enter the residence. Just prior to her arrival, Thompson and Tyler Gray did exit and confirmed that McKinney was still inside.
The homeowner opened the front door. Deputy J. Andrews gave several announcements to anyone inside to exit the residence, as anyone inside would be bitten by the K-9. McKinney eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody.
McKinney and Thompson were transported to the District Two office for an interview. McKinney refused to speak to detectives. Thompson provided only vague details about the various stolen vehicle investigations.
The Nissan Altima that was inside the garage had an improper tag attached. Detectives are attempting to contact the last registered owner to determine the status of the vehicle.
While at the District Two office with McKinney and Thompson, detectives received a call from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Pasco deputies had located Kenny Harbaugh at a residence in Shady Hills. Harbaugh was in possession of a stolen vehicle and a stolen trailer from Hernando County.
Hernando County detectives responded to 14632 Battenwood Drive in Pasco County to meet with Pasco deputies. Pasco deputies advised that Harbaugh was located at this residence, hiding in a closet.
A 2011 Ford Escape (stolen from Hernando County) was located in the front yard. Several witnesses confirmed that Harbaugh had been driving that vehicle for the last few days.
The homeowners consented to a search of the property. During the search, detectives located a small enclosed U-Haul trailer later confirmed to have been stolen from Hernando County. Witnesses stated that the U-Haul had been or was going to be used to transport stolen motorcycles.
Harbaugh refused to speak to detectives.
The individuals listed below were arrested and/or charged as a result of this investigation:
Jacklyn Ware DOB/06-11-1982
• Grand Theft Auto
• Burglary Dwelling
Sarah Mack DOB/06-02-1993
• Warrant (Pasco County) – Trafficking in Amphetamines
Kenny “KJ” Martin DOB/11-06-1990
• In custody in Pasco County
• Hernando County charges pending
Kristen McKinney DOB/05-17-1966
• Fleeing to Elude
• Grand Theft Auto (2 counts)
• Additional Hernando County charges pending
Mitchell Thompson DOB/12-30-1992
• Obstruction
Henny Harbaugh DOB/10-09-1993
• Grand Theft Auto (Hernando County)
• Grand Theft Auto (Pasco County)
• Warrant (Pasco County) – FTA
• Grand Theft (Pasco County)
• Additional Hernando County charges pending.
The property listed below was recovered as a result of this investigation:
• 2011 Ford Escape – Stolen from Hernando – Recovered in Pasco
• 2010 Nissan Altima – Stolen property from two GTA cases located within
• Enclosed U-Haul Trailer – Stolen from Hernando – Recovered in Pasco
• 2004 Green Kawasaki Z1000 – Stolen from Hernando – Recovered in Pasco
• 2007 Red Honda CBR – Stolen from Hernando – Recovered in Pasco
• 2015 Kia Forte – Stolen and Recovered in Hernando
• 2000 Cadillac Deville – Stolen from Hernando – Recovered in Pasco
• 1996 Toyota T11 Pickup – Stolen and Recovered in Hernando
• 2006 Toyota Avalon – Stolen and Recovered in Hernando
• 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser – Stolen and Recovered in Hernando
• 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe – Stolen and Recovered in Hernando
• 2017 Hyundai Elantra – Stolen and Recovered in Hernando.
The case remains active.
