On Monday, January 30, 2017, at about 7:15 a.m., officers of the St. Petersburg Police Department responded to the area of 21st Avenue South and 7th Street regarding a home burglary.
A woman who was asleep on her couch awoke to a man wearing Sponge Bob clothing standing over her. The man ran from the house as the woman called police.
At 7:35 a.m., a man was observed near 22nd Avenue South and 5th Street looking through the window of a home where a woman was getting dressed for work.
As officers arrived in the area, the man ran and was chased by officers to the yard of 511 25th Avenue South. The man attempted to hide in a trash can to avoid arrest. He was located by officers and arrested.
The man in both incidents was identified as 32 year-old Steven Charles Kirkland of 2000 3rd Avenue North.
Kirkland was charged with Occupied Residential Burglary, Loitering & Prowling, Trespassing, and Unoccupied Residential Burglary.
In addition, Kirkland was wanted for two counts of Lewd & Lascivious Molestation on a Child under the Age of 12 from January 22, 2017.
The two children did not know Kirkland prior to the incident. In addition, Kirkland is facing possible misdemeanor Indecent Exposure charges from an incident also occurring on January 22, 2017, at Bay Vista Park.
Detectives believe there could be more victims. If anyone has any information, please contact the St. Petersburg Police Department.