3 Bradenton men, 1 woman arrested after investigation into burglary spree

BRADENTON -- Three Bradenton men and one Bradenton women have been charged in connection with burglaries throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

The arrests stemmed from multiple law enforcement agencies working together over the last three days on an investigation into several burglaries in neighboring counties. The Holmes Beach and Longboat Key police department, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office began investigating several burglaries within their jurisdictions early Sunday.

Zach Stein, 21; and Jimmy Harris, 20, were the first suspects arrested after the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Monday tried to conduct a traffic stop and the vehicle fled into Sarasota County. After stop sticks ended the chase, Stein and Harris were arrested on charges from the traffic stop.

Stein was charged with fleeing to elude law enforcement, possession of cocaine and resisting without violence. He was held in Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $11,000, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Harris was charged with attempted burglary to an occupied dwelling and possession of cocaine. Booking information for Harris was not available on the sheriff's office website.

Continued investigation revealed evidence linking the burglaries to a residence at 1609 Ninth Avenue West in Bradenton. At 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Bradenton Police Department SWAT team broke down the front door of the home, arresting Austin Hale, 22; and Janice Crawford, 20.

"We were looking for stolen property," Bradenton Police Lt. James Racky told the Herald from the scene. "Stolen guns, stolen TVs, anything that was taken from the beachside burglaries, we are looking for inside the house. We have found evidence, but we are not going to say what we found right now."

A release issued Thursday revealed investigators found stolen flat-screen televisions; several weapons, including rifles and handguns; and a marijuana grow house in the residence.

Hale was charged with burglary to an unoccupied dwelling, attempted burglary to an occupied dwelling, cultivation of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held in Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $29,500, according to the sheriff's office.

Crawford was charged with cultivation of marijuana. She was released from Manatee County jail the same day on $1,500 bond.

Charges are pending further investigation, police said. Bradenton police encouraged the public to contact agencies for information on individual cases.

Anyone with information can call detective Adrian Meridan at 941-932-9326 or remain anonymous and eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers, 866-634-8477, or send an anonymous tip to manateecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 7:10 PM with the headline "3 Bradenton men, 1 woman arrested after investigation into burglary spree ."