Thief claims he broke into home because ‘they probably own three houses,’ police say

An 18-year-old man was arrested after he tried to justify a home invasion and burglary by claiming that he did so because the victim “probably owns three houses.”

According to an arrest report, a neighbor witnessed Amado Zeppi park his black SUV a few houses down and then break into a home in the unit block of Palm Harbor Drive at around 11:35 a.m. on Oct. 20. Zeppi reportedly used a crowbar to smash a window and unlock a door into the house.

Holmes Beach police say that Zeppi had loaded two televisions worth more than $1,000, a $750 kayak and a set of $1,000 golf clubs, among other things, into his vehicle when they arrived to the scene. When questioned, Zeppi initially claimed that the items belonged to him.

Zeppi later admitted to breaking into the home and stealing the items to the police, who recorded the conversation.

According to police, Zeppi was armed with a concealed butterfly knife and exhibited belligerent behavior. He cursed and spat on a police officer while in custody. Later, he spat in the patrol vehicle so much that the department had it cleaned “for bio-hazards,” according to the arrest affidavit.

When Holmes Beach officers dropped Zeppi off to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, he allegedly threatened to come after an officer’s family.

Zeppi faces multiple charges, including armed burglary, threatening a law enforcement officer and possession of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana. He is being held on bonds totaling $59,500.

This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 11:14 AM with the headline "Thief claims he broke into home because ‘they probably own three houses,’ police say."