CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A 40-year-old Clay County man turned himself in after deputies said he stole from a car parked near a Redbox kiosk at a Walmart store, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Christopher Tate was arrested in the burglary, his 18th arrest since 2001. Deputies said he turned himself in because of the media exposure to the case.
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Deputies were dispatched Oct. 13 to the store on County Road 220 in reference to a car burglary.
Nichole Marini and her boyfriend, Kenneth Elliot, drove up to the front of the store at 7:30 p.m. to rent a movie from a Redbox unit.
Authorities said the vehicle they were driving in was turned off and the keys were removed, but they had left the car unlocked.
Marini said she had left her wallet and cellphone in the car, which deputies said were on the floorboard on the passenger side.
Marini noticed that the tail lights were turning on and off, which she thought was peculiar while standing at the Redbox. When the doors of the car are opened, deputies said the tail lights will illuminate.
Deputies said Marini later discovered that her wallet was missing from inside the car. The estimated value of the property taken, according to Marini, was $600 for the cellphone and $30 in cash. There were also various credit and debit cards stolen, deputies said.
Deputies said this case serves as a reminder of the importance of locking car doors no matter how near or far away from the car someone may be.
PHOTOS: Car burglar suspect targets those using kiosk