CBS12 News Team

Boca Raton police catch prowling would-be burglars

Photo from Boca Raton PD: Markel Brown arrested

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- On Tuesday, Boca Raton police responded to a report of a suspicious person entering a neighbor’s back yard at 107 Pinehurst Lane. The caller reported seeing a male approach the neighbor’s front door and go into their backyard through a side gate. The caller didn’t recognize the male as living in the neighborhood.

Officers saw a male matching the description given by the caller walking through the side yard of 109 Pinehurst Lane, coming from 107 Pinehurst Lane. Officers stopped the male, who was eventually identified as Markel Brown, after he originally lied to officers about his name. Brown said he was in the area visiting his aunt and was looking for her lost dog; however, he couldn’t give officers her address or phone number. Officers checked the house at 107 Pinehurst Lane and discovered a portion of the fence had been torn down and an electrical box on the outside of the house was damaged. The owner of the home told officers the fence was not damaged when she left that morning. Officers saw marijuana on Brown’s clothing, which he tried to blow off, and found socks in his pocket. The original caller identified Brown as the male seen at the neighbor’s house.

Another officer patrolling the neighborhood, looking for accomplices, stopped a white Nissan (rental vehicle) after a traffic violation. The driver, Gregory Taylor, told officers he did not have a driver’s license and while they were speaking to him, could smell the odor of marijuana from the interior of the car. They found a small amount of marijuana on the seats and floorboards. Taylor told officers he was on his way to McDonalds, but then changed his story. Taylor also said he was alone and did not drop anyone off. Both suspects later confirmed that they knew each other. Officers located a gas mask, glass pipe in the trunk which Taylor said he uses to smoke marijuana. They also found property and identification belonging to several other people in the car.

Officers arrested Brown for loitering and prowling, possession of burglary tools, possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence and multiple outstanding warrants.

Taylor was charged with loitering and prowling, driving without a license, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

Wednesday, May 30 2012, 11:45 PM EDT

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