HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- April 16, 2020
On 04-13-2020, Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Humane Society of the Nature Coast located at 7200 Mobley Road in Brooksville in reference to the report of a burglary.
Upon arrival, deputies noted the suspects appeared to have entered the property by cutting through a chain link fence located in the back area.
Once on the property, the suspects pried open two storages sheds and removed numerous items to include two generators, a chainsaw, leaf blower, weed eaters, push mower, hand tools, bags of dog food, and various supplies.
On 04-14-2020, an anonymous tip was received as to who possibly committed the burglary. The tipster provided the first names of Miranda and Eddie. The caller advised the couple was recently in possession of a large quantity of dog food and a generator.
Using the information provided, members of the Crime Analysis Unit was able to develop two possible suspects, Edward Spear W/M DOB/09-21-1976 and Miranda Grieves W/F DOB/09-11-1976.
Detectives responded to Spring Hill Health and Rehab where Grieves was supposed to be working. A manager indicated Grieves had called in sick. However, the manager indicated several items were reported stolen from the facility a few days ago to include a leaf blower, pressure washer, and a yellow wheel barrow.
Detectives then responded to Grieves’ last known address at 16230 Punch Buggy Lane in Brooksville where the property owner permitted access to the investigators.
Detectives located a wheel barrow belonging to Spring Hill Health and Rehab. Grieves and Spear were unable to be located.
On 04-15-2020, Grieves called detectives wanting to speak about the investigation.
Detectives met with Grieves in the parking lot of the Walmart in Brooksville. While speaking with Grieves, detectives located Spear sitting in a vehicle observing Grieves speaking with law enforcement. Both Grieves and Spear were taken into custody.
Upon questioning, both individuals admitted to burglarizing the Humane Society of the Nature Coast on Saturday.
Spear indicated he returned to the property several times on Saturday and Sunday to remove and transport various items from the shed. Grieves told detectives they sold the stolen items to pay for narcotics. She also indicated she planned to use some of the money to pay outstanding traffic fines. Detectives were able to make contact with several individuals who purchased the stolen property. Those items, including the generators, leaf blower, push mower, and chainsaw, were recovered and later returned to the humane society.
Spear was charged with three counts of Burglary and Grand Theft, and four counts of Dealing in Stolen Property. His bond was set at $70,000.
Investigators noted Spear has 19 previous felony convictions spanning Florida, Michigan and Missouri for Burglary, Grand Theft, Grand Theft Auto, Home Invasion, and Aggravated Assault.
Grieves was charged with Burglary, Grand Theft, and Dealing in Stolen Property. Her bond was set at $22,000.
