A Fruitland Park woman was arrested on burglary charges when a homeowner’s live security camera caught her in his pool with a dog.
Deputies responded to a burglary at an undisclosed Leesburg residence Tuesday morning, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Prior to the deputy’s arrival, dispatch received a call from a male complainant advising that he had a live view from his security camera of two subjects on his property, one of which was later identified as 34-year-old Sierra Shey Sanford. They were in his pool with a dog, the report said.
The complainant further advised that his alarm system activated as if the two subjects had broken into the residence. The system activated the night before, but no one had permission to be on the property, the report said.
Upon arrival, deputies met with a neighbor who was on the phone with the complainant. The neighbor handed a deputy his cellphone, at which time the complainant advised that he observed the subjects on his security camera jumping the fence. They moved on to a nearby property, the report said.
The deputy began to walk up the driveway of the neighboring property, spotting Sanford getting out on the driver’s side of a green SUV. He commanded her to stay where she was, but she continued to walk. He gave a second command that she still ignored as she entered the residence, the report said.
Deputies then approached the SUV and met the second subject, a male, along with a dog. One of the deputies also went into the residence and told Sanford to step out, to which she complied, the report said.
During an interview, Sanford admitted to getting into the pool at the complainant’s residence but denied breaking in. She also stated the property they made contact on was a family member’s old house. The second subject was also interviewed, and he advised that he had been staying at the residence for about two days, the report said.
Contact was made with the owner of the residence who advised she did not give permission for anyone to be on the property. The front door and interior had been locked with padlocks. The report noted deputies did see the broken padlocks on scene along with two windows pried open, wet footprints and two doors with pry marks.
Due to the statements, facts and totality of the circumstances, Sanford was arrested on charges of attempted burglary, burglary of unoccupied dwelling (unarmed, no assault) and two counts of criminal mischief. The Texas native was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $22,000.
