A pair from Leesburg was arrested after allegedly breaking into a rental home with plans to make crack cocaine.
An officer responded to a burglary involving 65-year-old Delores Perry and 49-year-old Robert James Hodge at a residence on Mara Court around 1:30 a.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
An anonymous caller described hearing the sound of glass breaking at the back of a nearby residence. She looked in that direction to see a man, about 45 to 48 years of age, climbing through a broken window. He was accompanied by Perry and Hodge. The caller left the area to contact law enforcement and did not want to be identified, the report said.
Upon arrival, the officer approached the back of the residence to see a freshly broken window with a circular hole. Broken glass lay scattered inside the home on the kitchen floor, indicating the window had been broken from the outside. The opening was large enough to allow access to the window’s lock, the report said.
The officer then spoke with a neighbor, who stated no one should be inside the residence. It was currently listed for rent on Zillow. Indeed, a look inside through the window determined it looked vacant, with no furniture, the report said.
He proceeded to command that the occupants come out, to which he got no initial response. After continued announcements, he heard a cough coming from a bedroom. He again commanded the occupants to come out, and Hodge finally emerged through the front door. He was followed by Perry, the report said.
They were both handcuffed and denied that there was anyone else inside the residence, which was confirmed by a quick sweep. In the bedroom from which the pair came out, there was a mattress and drug paraphernalia on the floor. These items included a green glass pipe, a metal spoon with cocaine residue, burnt copper wire and a baggie of baking soda. Baking soda, along with a heat source and a spoon, is commonly used to convert powder cocaine into crack cocaine, the report said.
A subsequent search of Perry’s person revealed another straight glass pipe with residue. The officer also found a purse with a blue container of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride pills, a legend drug. She did not have a valid prescription for this medication or a prescription bottle in her possession, the report said.
Perry was arrested on charges of burglary of unoccupied structure (forced entry), possession of legend drug without prescription, possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia (possess or use). The New Jersey native was booked at the Lake County Jail with bond set at $29,000.
Hodge was arrested on charges of burglary of unoccupied structure (forced entry), possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia (possess or use). The California native was booked at the jail without bond.