HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Two people have been arrested in connection to the recent burglary of 90 percent of the Humane Society of the Nature Coast’s supplies.
The burglary occurred earlier this week. According to the shelter’s Facebook post, almost all the dog and cat food, detergent, towels, two generators, lawn equipment, toilet paper, hand sanitizers, bleach, event tents, lawn equipment and more was stolen.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Edward Spear, 43, and Miranda Grieves, also 43, were arrested.
The sheriff’s office received an anonymous tip on Tuesday. The caller said the couple was recently in possession of a large quantity of dog food and a generator.
Detectives responded to Spring Hill Health and Rehab where Grieves was supposed to be working, but a manager said she had called in sick.
The manager said several items were reported stolen from the facility a few days ago, including a leaf blower, pressure washer and a wheel barrow.
Detectives went to Grieves’ last known address and found a wheel barrow, but not Grieves or Spear.
On Wednesday, Grives called detectives wanting to speak about the investigation and met with them in the parking lot of the Walmart in Brooksville.
While speaking with them, detectives found Spear sitting in a vehicle.
Both were taken in to custody. They admitted to burglarizing the shelter.
Spear said he returned to the property several times on Saturday and Sunday to remove various items from the shed.
Grieves told detectives they sold the items to pay for narcotics and pay outstanding traffic fines.
Detectives were able to find several people who purchased the stolen property and recover the generators and lawn equipment that were returned to the humane society.
Spear was charged with three counts of burglary and granf theft and four counts of dealing in stolen property. His bond was set at $70,000.
He has 19 previous felony convictions in Florida, Michigan and Missouri.
Grieves was charged with burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property. Her bond was set at $22,000.
If you’d like to help the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, you can visit their facility at 7200 Mobley Road in Brooksville from 10 am-3 pm or visit their website.
