Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Burglary Arrest

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.