Self-described 'crackhead' caught breaking into Sarasota charity

SARASOTA -- A man caught breaking into a charity's offices Wednesday evening said he was there because he needed money to buy crack cocaine, according to the Sarasota Police Department.

Officers arrived at Catholic Charities, 5055 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, for an alarm just before midnight, according to a release. They saw a window had been smashed, and that they observed George Sparrow, 48, inside the building.

When Sparrow noticed the officers he ran away into a hallway and ignored repeated requests to come out, police said. Police called for other units and set up a perimeter.

Officers saw broken glass and blood in various rooms throughout the property and eventually located Sparrow hiding under a desk, according to the report. He was arrested, treated on scene and taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

While paramedics were treating Sparrow on the way to the hospital, he said in front of officers that "he was trying to break into the building," as well as he "was looking for money for crack." Sparrow also stated he has "been breaking into places for the past month and a half looking for money for crack."

He referred to himself as an "(expletive) crackhead."

Sparrow has been charged with burglary, resisting arrest without violence and giving a flase name to law enforcement.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 10:12 AM with the headline "Self-described 'crackhead' caught breaking into Sarasota charity ."