Stolen Vehicle Found In The Water Near John’s Pass in Madeira Beach
June 18, 2014
Units from Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, Pinellas Suncoast, St. Petersburg, and Seminole responded to reports of a vehicle entering the water early this morning. The call came in to the 911 center at approximately 4:21 am. In addition, Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the beach access across from Johns Pass in Madeira Beach near 129th Avenue and Gulf Blvd.
Initial rescue units located the vehicle which was about 75-100 feet from the shoreline. Divers were able to reach the vehicle which was unoccupied. The windows and the sunroof of the vehicle were opened and crews continued to search for possible occupants. Members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team also entered the water and did not locate anyone inside the vehicle. The windows and sunroof of the vehicle were open.
The US Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to participate in the search.
Crews were able to pull the 2001 Isuzu Vehicross from the water and the owners Julia Ann & Keith Alan Robillard were contacted. They reside at 6907 Circle Creek Drive in Pinellas Park.
This is the second time this vehicle was stolen. The first time the vehicle had been stolen from the owner’s residence in Pinellas Park on February 12, 2014 and recovered later that day in the Pinellas Park area. The keys to the vehicle were inside the vehicle at the time of the theft. When the vehicle was recovered the keys were not inside or returned to the owner.
The vehicle was stolen again in the overnight hours between Tuesday, June 17, 2014 and Wednesday, June 18, 2014.
The vehicle was found to have the keys in the ignition and a cement paver was found on the accelerator when it was pulled from the water.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on this theft to please contact Detective M. Johnson of the Arson/Auto Theft Unit at (727) 582-6200 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.
The investigation continues.