Sarasota, Florida - Sarasota Police make three arrests and recover $400,000 in stolen property.
On December 14, a victim reported gold, silver and collectable coins valued at over $400,000 were stolen during a home burglary.
Detectives assigned to the burglary notified retailers about the stolen gold and collectable coins.
American Coins and Collectibles contacted investigators that on December 15, two customers attempted to sell a suitcase full of very valuable coins. The suspects were going to verify the value of the coins at another shop and then return to make the sale.
On December 17, two suspects returned to the store with the same suitcase of valuable coins, and both suspects negotiated the sale of the coins.
When the suspects became aware that officers were responding, they fled out the rear door, leaving the suitcase and the coins in the store.
After a brief foot pursuit, deputies arrested 21-year-old Justin Gerken and 22-year-old Benjamin Hilliard. The victim of the burglary responded to the location and identified the recovered coins as items taken during the burglary.
Gerken and Hilliard are charged with dealing in stolen property. Hilliard also faces a charge of violation of probation in regard to a previous arrest for burglary, and resisting arrest without violence.
As the investigation continued, detectives also arrested 19-year-old Jessica Striewski and filed more charges against Gerken. Gerken was charged with grand theft in excess of $100,000. Striewski was charged with grand theft $100,000 or more, dealing in stolen property, and fraud & false owner information on a pawn slip.
Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact Detective Carter at 941-954-7088.
Isabel Mascarenas