Sarasota prolific offender, 19, charged in connection with car theft

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office charged a 19-year-old prolific offender in connection with a vehicle theft that occurred over the weekend in the Osprey area.

Dovantate Wright of Sarasota was charged with grand theft auto and burglary, according to a release.

Deputies said nearly a dozen vehicles were burglarized and a Land Rover stolen Sunday night in the Sorrento Bayside area of Osprey. According to the release, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office located the stolen vehicle late Tuesday night at a home in Ellenton.

Wright, Wright’s girlfriend Brenicia Jones, 18, and Javorius Davis-Mobley were each arrested and taken to the Manatee County jail. According to Sarasota deputies, statements from Jones and Davis-Mobley confirmed Wright stole the Land Rover and drove it through north Sarasota earlier this week, claiming it was a rental.

Deputies said that in an interview Jones said Wright and Davis-Mobley picked her up in the Land Rover at approximately 11 p.m. Tuesday. Wright was driving and when he saw law enforcement, he turned around and they ultimately abandoned the vehicle.

Wright remains in custody at the Manatee County jail on other charges. His booking information was not immediately available on the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office website.

According to deputies, Wright’s history includes burglary, resisting arrest, fleeing to elude and assault on a law enforcement officer.

Jones was charged Tuesday with burglary of a structure or conveyance. She is now being held in the Manatee County jail after her bonds were revoked because of an unrelated arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.

Jones had been arrested Sept. 17 and charged with motor vehicle theft, driving without a valid license and loitering or prowling. She was released from jail on Monday after posting bonds totaling $1,800.

Davis-Mobley’s booking information was not immediately available.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending, authorities said.

This story was originally published September 23, 2016 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Sarasota prolific offender, 19, charged in connection with car theft."