Bradenton man accused of stealing guns from cars and then selling them
A Bradenton man faces multiple felony charges in Sarasota County after detectives say he burglarized vehicles and sold stolen guns.
Jeremiah James Pilkenton, 22, was arrested on April 6 and is charged with eight felonies and four misdemeanors following a string of crimes that occurred two years ago, according to court documents.
Detectives say that the North Port Police Department responded to reports of vehicle burglaries that were “in close proximity to each other” on April 8, 2024.
According to court files, police officers responded to reports of four trucks that were broken into. The burglaries resulted in the theft of three firearms, a Streamlight Stinger flashlight, two wallets containing about $800, two credit cards, a driver’s license and a Social Security card.
The guns taken were a blue Ruger LCP, a black Sig Sauer and a Glock 26, each from separate vehicles, according to court documents.
On April 16, 2024, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office detained three people after someone reported witnessing them attempting to open car doors, the arrest report said.
The three people led Lee County sheriff’s deputies on a chase, crashing their car into a canal and attempted to run. Deputies detained the three in a fenced in backyard, according to the arrest report.
The three people were interviewed by the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office at the Lee County Jail regarding separate burglaries that occurred in their jurisdiction. A North Port police detective reviewed bodycam footage, which led to charges filed against Pilkenton, according to court documents.
After being read his rights, police say Pilkenton admitted to stealing three guns, in addition to wallets, during the previous weekend..
Pilkenton “said they just drive around and stop at neighborhoods to commit the vehicle burglaries,” court documents said.
Police say he admitted to selling the stolen guns — but he “denied knowing who the guns were sold to,” court documents said.
Pilkenton’s defense attorney, Joseph Campoli, declined to comment on the case.
He faces a dozen charges of armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm and related theft offenses.
Pilkenton was due in court Friday to hear the formal charges against him.
