In the early hours of Sunday, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies, along with their Aviation Section, apprehended three individuals following a break-in at the Red White and Blue Thrift Store in Riverview. According to a Facebook post by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, surveillance cameras captured the suspects jumping the fence into the property around 1:00 a.m.
Once the aviation unit spotted the trespassers, both air and ground personnel worked in concert to locate them. Two of the suspects were found attempting to conceal themselves in the store's recycling bin, while the third was found lying on the ground in an effort to hide. Hillsborough County Sheriff, Chad Chronister commended his team stating, "Thanks to the hard work of our air and ground units, we were able to stop these criminals." He added a commitment to community protection, "We will continue to do everything we can to protect individuals and businesses in our community," according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
The three apprehended individuals were identified as Shawn Smith, 26, Joshua Hrywnak, 43, and Brock Charles, 36, with charges pressed against them for Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure. In addition to the burglary charge, Charles faces a charge for Possession of Burglary Tools.
All suspects were booked following the incident, with Chronister's message underscoring the value of collaborative police work. As the Sheriff's Office detailed the arrest process, it became clear that the synergy between the Aviation Section, K9 units, and deputies on the ground played a pivotal role in the swift resolution to this burglary case, the successful apprehension of Smith, Hrywnak, and Charles was a testament to the coordinated efforts of the various units within the Sheriff's Office.
