Teen busted, accused of swiping $20,000 worth of goods

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - Police arrested an 18-year-old accused of stealing $20,000 worth of items from unlocked cars over the past three weeks.

So far, Anthony Berretta is charged with 13 counts of felony burglary; seven cars, five homes and a boat. Police expect more victims to come forward.

Raphael Santiago woke up Wednesday morning to find his car had been ransacked, and several items were missing from inside.

"I noticed they took my two pairs of sunglasses, a camera, a JBL blue tooth speaker," Santiago said.

His wife's car and two neighbors' cars were hit too.

Later that afternoon, a patrol officer questioned Berretta, and something seemed suspicious.

Detectives then matched a picture of him to surveillance video obtained through one of the victims.

Once arrested, police found several pairs of sunglasses, cameras, bikes, fishing gear, cell phones, watches, among other miscellaneous items.

"We wouldn't be standing here today if numerous people would've just locked their car doors," Lt. Randy Boyd said.

Police will contact victims next week to set up appointments so they'll be able to claim their belongings.