Devils Den Burglars Busted

 

 

During the early morning hours of January 27, 2020, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary at the Devil’s Den property on NE 180^th Avenue outside of Williston.  The investigation revealed that unknown suspects had unlawfully entered two dwellings on the property, damaged part of the property and stolen various items.  The stolen property included cash and surveillance cameras that were in use on the property. 

 The crimes were particularly disturbing to responding Deputies because a person was sleeping inside one of the dwellings at the time of the burglary.  Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division began working the case almost immediately.  The Detectives were able to obtain surveillance footage from additional cameras that were not stolen during the crime.  They developed two suspects from the footage and were able to identify them with the assistance of several witnesses. 

The Detectives located and questioned Deontre Leron Baker (3-10-99) and Markus Mario Howze (5-14-2005).  Both suspects made admissions that implicated their involvement in the crimes.  Based on the video evidence, witness statements and suspect interviews, the Detectives were able to arrest both suspects. 

In the arrest affidavit filed by Detective Mike McNeil, Baker was charged with two counts of Burglary as well as one count each of Grand Theft, Petit Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  He is being held at the Levy County Detention Center with his bond set at $190,000.00.  Howze was taken into custody for one count of Burglary and one count of Petit Theft.  He was transferred into the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. 

LCSO thanks the public for their assistance in solving this case.  Citizens are encouraged to make efforts to secure their homes and personal property as the victim did in this case.  Anyone can report suspicious activity to LCSO 24 hours a day at 352-486-5111.  They can also make anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. 

 

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.