PALATKA, Fla. – A 42-year-old man was arrested Friday afternoon after he was caught driving a stolen Land Rover, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said.
The SUV was stolen during a residential burglary in East Palatka, deputies said.
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Christopher Paredes is charged with burglary of a residence, grand theft, motor vehicle theft and driving on a suspended license.
The victim told deputies on Sept. 9 that he returned to the residence after being away for approximately two months only to discover the Land Rover missing from the garage and other items stolen from the home.
Deputies investigating the burglary determined that the suspect forced entry into the home through a sliding glass door. Deputies were able to collect evidence from within the home, including fingerprints from a beer can apparently left by the suspect.
When deputies stopped the stolen vehicle Friday, they discovered other items stolen from the victim's home in the rear of the vehicle, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The stolen vehicle and the stolen property inside it were returned to the owner. Deputies and the victim are working to conduct an inventory to determine if any items taken from the home remain unaccounted for.
The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible, deputies said.
Paredes is currently locked up in the Putnam County Jail on a bond of $5,000.