July 6, 2018
Construction of a new home can be exciting and frustrating
for the owner as well as the construction company, all within a single day.
Delays caused by weather and supply shipments are always an issue. However,
theft of the very tools and supplies you do have will push the frustration
level to the limit. This is the case of one local man just trying to get his
home built.
On June 16, 2018 deputies responded to a home under
construction and met with the victim. The victim discovered approximately $860.00
in tools and supplies had been stolen from the construction site. Deputies returned
to this same construction site on July 4th and on July 5th
for two additional reports of theft. An additional $1380.00 in tools and
construction supplies were stolen in these consecutive days.
David Lee Runion (12-14-82), from Williston was arrested
yesterday by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID)
for perpetrating these thefts. Investigators received information that Runion
was responsible. Runion was located at a home outside of Williston and
confronted. He admitted to these thefts and directed investigators to a stash
of stolen property, some of which had already been sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Investigators also recovered a stolen four wheeler and other items linked to
additional reports. These cases are still under investigation and more charges are
expected to be filed soon. Many of the stolen tools and supplies recovered yesterday
have been returned to the owners.
Runion was booked in to the Levy County Detention Facility.
He has been charged with two counts of burglary, three counts of grand theft
and one count of dealing in stolen property. His bond has been set at
$160,000.00.