February 25, 2020
Fourteen time convicted felon Steven D. Rouse (7/27/80) of
Morriston, Florida was arrested by members of the LCSO Patrol and Criminal
Investigations Division yesterday afternoon for burglary, grand theft of
firearms and criminal mischief. Rouse was located by Detectives in an abandoned
shed near the scene of a burglary that was just reported.
Patrol Deputy Kellie Kimpel responded to a report of a
suspicious person she identified as Rouse earlier in the day. A homeowner
returned to his home on Ishie Avenue just before 2 PM and found a person
sleeping on his porch. The homeowner confronted this man, who he did not know
and said to him he had not stolen anything then walked away. The homeowner
discovered his guns and other valuables had been removed from inside the
trailer, but were left on the porch. It appeared this burglar pried open the
front door to gain entry. The homeowner immediately called 911 and gave a
description of the person he confronted on his property.
The description of the burglary suspect matched that of
Rouse. Rouse was identified by the victim when shown his picture. A canvass of
the area identified a second person who identified Rouse and stated he was just
seen in the area. Rouse was found in an abandoned shed nearby by Detectives.
Rouse was taken into custody and confessed to the burglary, telling Detectives
his truck broke down in the area and he went to the victim’s trailer thinking
it belonged to a friend. He told Detectives he was only trying to get something
to drink but fell asleep because he had been awake for several days after
consuming methamphetamines.
Rouse is being held at the Levy County Detention Bureau in
lieu of a $101,000.00 bond.