PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- A Charlotte County homeless man is behind bars, accused of stealing over $1500 worth of power tools less than 24 hours earlier.
40-year-old Timothy Roberge is charged with Burglary to a Conveyance Armed, Grand Theft more than $300 less than $5000, Concealing/Tampering with Evidence, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Convicted Felon Fail to Register.
Investigators say that on Monday evening, deputies responded to a business on the 2000 block of El Jobean Road, where the victim reported a large amount of construction tools were missing from a work truck. The owner of the business was able to provide video surveillance of the suspect, who was observed on camera riding a bicycle with a makeshift trailer attached.
Detectives began an investigation, which included canvassing the neighborhood and speaking to potential witnesses. While in the area of Collingswood and Toledo Blade, detectives observed a male, later identified as Roberge, riding a bicycle and matching the suspect observed in the surveillance video.
Detectives determined that is a convicted felon and had failed to register as required by law.
During a search of Roberge, a syringe was located in his pants pocket, containing liquid that tested positive for Codeine. He was unable to provide a prescription for the codeine.
Detectives located and searched the camp in which Timothy Roberge was living, and all of the missing tools were located, secured under a tarp and covered by several palm fronds.
He was transported to the Charlotte County Jail.
