Authorities say a burglary suspect tried to sell a stolen phone back to its owner.
DADE CITY, FL - When a burglar broke into a Dade City home, he left with more than $1,000 in property. He might have gotten away with it, but authorities say he tried to sell the cell phone back to the victim.
The burglar had entered Dustin Temple's home on Powerline Road on Wednesday through a broken window and took a Nextel phone along with several other items, according to a police report.
Thursday, a suspect called Temple and said he would give the Nextel back.
The arrangement was made to meet at 5 p.m. at the R and J Food store on Lockand 21st streets, according to a report.
Deputies set up surveillance, placed a plainclothes officer in an unmarked car near the store and waited for the suspect, according to spokesman Doug Tobin.
The exchange was made, and Temple paid $30 in return for the phone.
After the money changed hands, deputies handcuffed 20-year-old Demitrius Montrea Lamar of 15313 Pinellas AV.
According to the report, Lamar told deputies he didn't break into the house but had bought the phone for $30 from someone else. Lamar said he received a call from the phone's owner who said he wanted the Nextel back, according to the report. Lamar said he agreed to return the phone, but asked for $30 since that was how much he bought it for, according to the report.
Deputies charged Lamar with residential burglary and dealing in stolen property. He was being held on $20,000 bond at the Pasco County Jail.
