Two Port Charlotte teens accused of 28 car burglary cases, including gun thefts – NBC2
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
CCSO
A pair of juveniles who are suspects in vehicle burglaries and thefts were arrested after stealing a car and fleeing on foot.
On the morning of Monday, September 16, 2024, deputies responded to a Port Charlotte home after a caller stated that their vehicle had been stolen sometime overnight. Through investigation, deputies were able to determine that the vehicle was seen heading into Punta Gorda around 3:30am Monday morning, and back into Port Charlotte approximately three hours later.
As deputies continued to investigate, they located the vehicle parked behind a home on Fairhaven St., a few blocks away from where it had been stolen. A witness contacted CCSO and advised that she saw two juveniles flee after watching them park the vehicle. Deputies were able to obtain descriptions of the suspects, and soon after, located two juveniles matching those descriptions.
During questioning, one of the juveniles, identified as Chase Morgret (11/06/07), confessed to stealing the car to “hang out” with the other, identified as Elijah Winesett (09/12/2008). Morgret went on to confess to entering other vehicles in the area and went into detail about several other vehicle burglary sprees dating back to June. He also advised that Winesett was involved in each of these burglaries as well. Morgret explained that they would check random vehicles to see if they were locked, and if so, move on until finding another one that was not.
So far, CCSO has connected the pair to 28 vehicle burglary cases with five involving a stolen vehicle. There are multiple charges in the majority of those cases, which are still being tallied at the time of this report. In at least two cases, firearms were reported stolen from the vehicles.
“Everybody did something when they were kids that they wish they could take back. Unfortunately, when that thing happens to be a string of felonies, it can change your life’s path forever. I wish these kids had thought about their actions beforehand, but now that it’s done, they have to face the real consequences of their choices. I hope that this serves as a wakeup call for them, and for any others who would consider doing something like this.”
– Sheriff Bill Prummell
Due to the extensive number of charges, to include felonies, the juveniles are not eligible for exemption or any pre-trial diversion programs.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to always lock your doors and remove all valuables from vehicles, to include firearms and key fobs.