A Masaryktown man is facing multiple charges after being arrested for allegedly burglarizing several vehicles there.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office HCSO) Deputy Public Information Officer Michael Terry said that on Aug. 29 deputies responded to several reports of cash, a tablet, tools, a purse, a cell phone, and personal identification having been taken from unlocked vehicles in the Roosevelt Avenue area of Masaryktown. Some vehicles were reportedly ransacked but nothing was taken, Terry said.
At that time, one witness reported seeing a male suspect enter a neighbor’s vehicle, but he fled on foot when he was confronted.
Another witness reported seeing a woman driving a truck through the area who reportedly said that she was searching for her brother-in-law who matched the description of the suspect.
Detectives later identified Jacob Zuniga, 23 of 531 Roosevelt Ave. as a possible suspect in the case.
On Sept. 9, detectives contacted Zuniga’s brother who lived at the same address. He told them that he, his wife, and the suspect had been drinking heavily at the time of the burglaries. After a verbal altercation, the suspect Zuniga left the house on foot.
Later that day, Zuniga called HCSO and agreed to meet with detectives. During questioning, he told them that at the time of the incidents he was intoxicated, had argued with his family, and before he blacked out rummaged through a number of vehicles in search of a pair of glasses.
Detectives later arrested Zuniga and charged him with seven counts of Burglary of a Conveyance. He was booked into the Hernando County Detention Center and was later released.
The case is pending.
