Manatee sheriff: Man wanted for stealing construction equipment

MANATEE - Manatee County sheriff's officials are looking for a man they say pawned a piece of construction equipment he had rented from a Manatee business, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Adam T. Arena, 35, who is wanted on a warrant charging him with grand theft and dealing in stolen property, also is a suspect in other similar thefts in the state, the sheriff's office said.

Sheriff's officials said that on June 4, Arena rented a construction backhoe from Bradenton Rent-All, 2706 14th St. W. The equipment, valued at $15,000, was suppose to be returned the next day. When it wasn't, the owner reported to the sheriff's office that it had been stolen, according to a sheriff's news release.

The report triggered a tracking device on the backhoe, and officials were able to trace it to a pawn shop in Ruskin. Investigators learned that Arena had pawned the backhoe for $4,000, according to sheriff's report.

Detectives say they also learned that Arena has pawned several pieces of construction equipment that had been reported stolen throughout Florida, according to a news release.

Officials on Wednesday obtained an arrest warrant for Arena charging him with the Manatee theft.

Anyone with information on Arena's whereabouts can call the sheriff's office at (941) 747-3011, ext. 2506, or Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS.