It was only a matter of time before Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies would find those responsible for the a string of golf cart thefts that occurred in Ruskin earlier this month.
During the month of January 2012, HCSO received 16 reports of golf cart thefts from several mobile home parks in Ruskin.
Deputies got a break of the case on January 26, after observing Ruskin residents Jason Beeche, 34, and Michael Griffith, 39, driving a golf cart on 19th Ave N.W. and U.S. Hwy 41 N in Ruskin.
A traffic stop revealed the golf cart was stolen earlier that morning.
Further investigation by detectives determined that the defendants are responsible for the 16 golf cart thefts and several shed burglaries in Ruskin.
The investigation also led detectives to Nicole Kramer, 39, who allegedly purchased and/or traded drugs for at least three of the stolen golf carts.
A traffic stop was conducted on Kramer in the area of Symmes Rd and Brussels Bay Ln in Riverview.
During a search of Kramer’s hotel room (Gibtown Inn – 11545 U.S. Hwy 41 S) detective’s located tools that were stolen from sheds in Ruskin, deputies said.
Besides dealing in stolen property, Kramer’s charges also include possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence, possession of controlled substance, no valid driver’s license and possession of drug paraphernalia, deputies said.
Eight out of the 16 golf carts stolen valued at $5,000 have been recovered.
Detectives are continuing the investigation with other charges pending.
Detectives will be following up leads on the whereabouts of the unrecovered golf carts.
For more information http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us
