THIS IS A FOLLOW UP RELEASE FROM THE JUNE 26th PRESS RELEASE:
During the late morning hours of June 26, 2018, multiple agencies responded to a residential burglary in progress in the 170th block of Old Fanning Grade. A homeowner returned home to find an unknown white male subject removing firearms from the home. The burglar escaped on foot. Personnel from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Cross City Correctional Institution, Mayo Correctional Institution and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission responded to assist LCSO in the search for the suspect.
During the late morning hours of June 26, 2018, multiple agencies responded to a residential burglary in progress in the 170th block of Old Fanning Grade. A homeowner returned home to find an unknown white male subject removing firearms from the home. The burglar escaped on foot. Personnel from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Cross City Correctional Institution, Mayo Correctional Institution and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission responded to assist LCSO in the search for the suspect.
After tracking the suspect with
multiple K-9s, officers were able to determine that the suspect had committed
two residential burglaries, two vehicle burglaries, and he stole one pickup
truck. The suspect was able to steal
multiple firearms, electronic equipment and a cellular phone. The suspect evaded capture that day, but his
freedom was short-lived.
LCSO deputies, with the
assistance of cooperating agencies, made these cases their top priority. Using forensic evidence recovered at the
crime scenes as well as follow up witness interviews and other investigative
methods, LCSO investigators developed Matthew Schrader (7-1-93) as the suspect
in these cases. The Alachua County
Sheriff’s Office was instrumental in providing timely processing of the
forensic evidence.
Schrader has multiple prior
felony convictions. In April of 2018, he
was placed on Drug Offender Probation in the Circuit Court for Levy County. In May of 2018, two arrest warrants for
Violation of Probation were issued from Levy County.
On June 27, 2018, Acting Circuit
Judge Sheree Lancaster issued two new arrest warrants for the crimes committed the
previous day. Schrader is facing
multiple counts of Armed Burglary, Grand Theft and Possession of a Firearm by a
Convicted Felon. Schrader also faces one
count of Criminal Mischief for damage done at one of the residences. The combined bonds on the two warrants were
set at $2.6 million.
Later on June 27th
deputies from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office and LCSO located Schrader
in Gilchrist County and arrested him on the Violation of Probation Warrants. Deputies continued their investigation and
were eventually able to recover all of the firearms and the vehicle that had
been stolen in the crime spree. On June
28, 2018 Schrader was transferred to the Levy County Detention Center and will
receive his first appearance on June 29, 2018.
This investigation is continuing
and investigators believe that additional crimes will be solved. Investigators are requesting anyone who may
have information about these crimes to call LCSO at 352-486-5111. Should callers
wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.