POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A citizen’s sharp eyes and quick action led to the arrests of two men early Tuesday morning, May 20th, who are now facing a litany of felony charges for their alleged involvement in a month-long spree of car burglaries across northeast Polk County.
Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of suspicious activity on Pickerel Court in Kissimmee, where three individuals were observed attempting to open car door handles. Home surveillance footage proved instrumental, capturing the suspects — cloaked in dark clothing, ski masks, and gloves, and carrying a red tool bag — trying to gain entry into a black Chevrolet truck before fleeing in a white Nissan Maxima.
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Deputies rapidly established a perimeter, utilizing drones, a helicopter, and a K-9 Unit in their search. The white Nissan Maxima was soon spotted by a deputy making a turn onto Marigold Avenue from Lake Marion Creek Road. A traffic stop ensued, leading to the detention of 18-year-old Joshua Mahase and 19-year-old Julian Cortez.
The third suspect remains at large, with detectives actively working on their identification.
A subsequent search of the Nissan revealed critical evidence, including clothing matching the suspects’ attire in the video, a red burglary tool bag, a black ski mask, and leather gloves.
Deputies also discovered marijuana, multiple driver’s licenses, passports, and debit/credit cards that did not belong to them. Neither Mahase nor Cortez possessed a medical marijuana card.
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During questioning, Mahase reportedly admitted to targeting unlocked vehicles and provided specific locations of the break-ins, even detailing additional burglaries. This critical information allowed detectives to link the pair to an astounding 20 previously reported burglaries over a six-week period, leading to a comprehensive list of charges.
“Thanks to the citizen who saw something, and said something, we were able to quickly respond and stop these brazen thieves and their criminal enterprise,” stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “For over a month they’ve been victimizing citizens who are sleeping peacefully in the northeast area of our county, breaking into their cars and stealing their stuff. And now they’re facing very serious felonies. This is also a great reminder to you all to lock your car doors.”
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Mahase and Cortez are facing numerous charges, including: Possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a vehicle for drug use, possession of stolen IDs (9 counts), grand theft – firearm, conspiracy to commit fraud (10 counts), conspiracy to commit grand theft, fraudulent use of credit/debit card (3 counts), possession of burglary tools (20 counts), petit theft (19 counts), Unlawful possession of personal ID 5 or more, armed burglary conveyance, conspiracy to commit burglary conveyance (20 counts), and burglary unoccupied unarmed conveyance (19 counts).
The investigation continues as authorities pursue leads to identify and apprehend the third individual involved in the crime spree.
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