Florida man brews pot of coffee, smokes cigarette during burglary, deputies say

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (FOX 13) - A burglary suspect made a pot of coffee before stealing items from a Florida business. He was arrested after investigators found his DNA on a cigarette butt and empty cups of coffee left behind inside the building.

Deputies with Walton County Sheriff’s Office said James Dexter Jackson entered the Regional Utilities on Santa Rosa Beach from a rear door on March 17. The victims said they had personal sheds on the property and several items were scattered around the area, with few missing, including several fishing rods and a wakeboard. 

Deputies said the stolen items were worth nearly $3,375. 

Inside of the buildings were several tables typically used for meetings. Investigators said Jackson entered the building from the rear door to make a pot of coffee. A Styrofoam cup was found near the coffee pot, and another was located on a small table near an open window. A cigarette butt was found shoved between the screen and building. 

The cups and cigarette were collected as evidence and sent to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab. Officials said the results later showed DNA found on the items belonged to Jackson.

He was arrested this week and faces a grand theft and burglary charge.