- October 29, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
A 56-year-old man has been charged with criminal mischief and burglary during a state of emergency for breaking into his neighbor's shed.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary attempt on Sunday, July 12, in Bulow Plantation in the 3300 block of Old Kinds Road South in Flagler Beach.
The homeowner said her shed had been damaged, and she found bolt cutters in the area. After reviewing security footage, she told deputies that a man walked up her stairs on Thursday, July 9, wearing a long sleeved shirt pulled past his hands and covering his face with his arm.
The door appeared to have been pried open just far enough that someone could look inside.
Deputies were already investigating other recent burglaries in the area of the campground.
After viewing the security footage, deputies identified the male from previous encounters as 56-year-old Mark Jacobs.
Deputies spoke with Jacobs’ parents, who reviewed the security footage and identified the suspect as their son. They told deputies that their son had developed a drug issue after sustaining an injury.
Deputies made contact with Jacobs and told him about the multiple burglary investigations in the area, and said he had been identified as the suspect in at least one of them.
Jacobs refused to speak with deputies about the matter and said that he would speak with his attorney.
“This is the neighbor from hell who is willing to damage and break into his neighbor’s property in order to steal to feed his drug habit,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Doing so while we are all going through this state of emergency just enhances his charges. I am hopeful he gets treatment for his addiction. Additional charges are possible as we continue to investigate the other burglaries.”
Jacobs was placed under arrest. He was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where he is being held on a $5,500 bond.
Jacobs has a previous arrest history in Flagler County for possession of a concealed handcuff key, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, domestic battery, criminal mischief and violation of probation.
The investigation into additional burglaries in Bulow Plantation is ongoing. If anyone has information, please call 386-313-4911, send a tip to [email protected] or call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-277-8477 (TIPS).
