Boca Raton Police Blotter

February 14th, 2008

Auto Burglaries

Boca Raton police arrested two people allegedly involved in nine auto burglaries in the area of NE 5th Avenue and NE 43rd Street, police said.

Public Information Officer Sandra Boonenberg said police saw two people running across Dixie Highway toward several closed businesses just after midnight on Jan. 30. A Boca police sergeant caught up with them and questioned them about several burglaries from cars.

The police report said the pair, a man and a woman, admitted to the burglaries and led officers to additional stolen property.

The suspects were identified by police as Brian M. Howell, 22, of NE 4th Avenue, Boca Raton and Bethanie J. Cairns, 19, of NW 39th Circle, Boca Raton. They were charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and nine auto burglaries, which occurred the night before, police said.

Purse Snatching

Boca Raton police are investigating a purse snatching that occurred in Regency Court on West Yamato Road just before 11:30 a.m. Friday.

According to reports, the 65-year-old victim told police she was walking on the sidewalk when a mane bumped into her from behind and grabbed her purse.

She said the man ran between two buildings and got into a car parked at the rear of the plaza. He drove off in an unknown direction.

Police said the woman was not hurt. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Investigator Giumenta at (561) 338-1303.

Drug Charge

Boca Raton police arrested a 24-year-old man Feb. 7 on a charge of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, police said. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop on SE Mizner Boulevard.

Tires Taken

A Boca Raton resident told police Feb. 7 that someone stole the tires and rims off his SUV, police said. The thief or thieves left the vehicles sitting on bricks, police said.