Manatee County suspect charged with grand theft

MANATEE -- A business owner who was watching a surveillance video spotted a burglary suspect taking items out of one of his employee's vehicle about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The business owner notified the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies arrived in the 6300 block of 17th St. Circle E., and spotted the suspect leaving in his vehicle. The suspect complied with a deputy's order to stop, shut off his truck, and put his hands in the air. At the deputy's request, the suspect exited his truck and was taken into custody without incident. He declined to make any statement, according to the sheriff's office.

The video surveillance confirmed that suspect, identified as Steven Weems, was the one seen taking the tools. The property was photographed and released to the victim on scene.

The video also captured images of the suspect taking tools out of a barrel at a neighboring business. The victim was able to identify his tools, the sheriff's office said.

Weems was charged with grand theft.

This story was originally published January 10, 2016 at 10:57 PM with the headline "Manatee County suspect charged with grand theft ."