Jacksonville, FL — The man accused of burglarizing a Mandarin church has been caught, and he's accused of a crime spree that involved at least eight other burglaries.
We first told you about the search for 25-year-old Delonte Burrell yesterday, when JSO asked the public for help identifying him. They soon issued a follow-up bulletin, saying the suspect had been identified, but didn’t reference if he was in custody. Today, JSO confirmed Burrell was arrested for allegedly smashing a window at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Old St. Augustine Road, taking money from the gift store register and prying open a safe.
He’s also been charged with the following burglaries, according to JSO: 12/17/17 at Nato Auto Sales on Beach Blvd, 12/17/17 at Demetree Brothers on Beach Blvd, 1/15/18 at Uptown Cheapskate on San Jose Blvd, 1/22/18 at Smoke Shop on San Jose Blvd, 1/22/18 at Mandarin Jewlery on San Jose Blvd, 1/23/18 at Oriental Grocery on Old St. Augustine Rd, 1/25/18 at Gastronome on Atlantic Blvd, and 1/25/18 at Ali Smoke Shop on Atlantic Blvd.
The arrest report says Burrell was first identified as a suspect in the San Jose Smoke Shop burglary by finger prints he left behind. He was spotted by JSO in a parking lot off Belle Rive, and a traffic stop was conducted because his vehicle didn’t have a tag. JSO says Burrell also didn’t have- and never has had- a license, and marijuana was seen in plain view when he was stopped.
We’ve now confirmed Burrell was actually arrested on Friday. WOKV followed up with JSO to see why they asked for help identifying him yesterday- including saying the suspect was being sought- if he was already in custody. JSO’s Public Information Office says they got a request from their Burglary Unit to ask the public for help on Friday, and when Robbery informed them he had already been caught, they cancelled the request.
“The investigation was active and ongoing, still is, many charges were not placed on him until yesterday. Until investigations confirms the release of the suspect information would not hinder any further investigative efforts for any other possible case was his identity released, as we do with any investigation,” says a statement from PIO Ofc Melissa Bujeda.
Jail records show Burrell was arrested for the nine burglaries, possession of marijuana, and driving on a suspended license. Court records show the drug and license charges have already been disposed through a plea of nolo contendere with adjudication withheld. Burrell’s arrest report shows he was first caught Friday for the church burglary, but had more charges added on yesterday.
The incident report from the burglary at St. Joseph's indicates the suspect could also be connected to at least one other break-in at the Diocese office. We asked JSO if he was being investigated for any connection to this break-in, and were told the investigation is still active and ongoing.
