A laid-back pool afternoon in Leesburg turned surreal when a local couple walked inside and said they found a stranger casually brewing coffee in their kitchen. The homeowners told investigators the uninvited visitor had moved items around, left cabinet doors hanging open, and walked off without a small blue Disney “Elsa” purse she had left on the counter. Deputies later detained a 36-year-old woman who now faces burglary and theft charges.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, the homeowners contacted law enforcement around 5 p.m. on May 22 after the husband headed inside and saw the woman making coffee. He told her to leave, and the outlet reports that, according to a Lake County arrest affidavit, she yelled that the house belonged to her before walking out.
The couple told deputies they threw out roughly $129 worth of groceries and household items the woman had handled because they were worried about contamination. Reporting lists a half-gallon of ice cream, pancake mix, cat treats, a stick of butter, and used utensils among the discarded goods. Local coverage from Leesburg News also notes that the homeowners described the visitor as wearing a blue shirt and shorts and having brown hair.
Deputy Tracks Down Suspect Near Intersection
A deputy patrolling the area later spotted a woman matching the description walking near the intersection of Pierce Avenue and Ocklawaha Drive and stopped to talk with her. She initially denied going into any homes but admitted the Frozen-themed purse was hers and told officers she had been walking from Lisbon toward Lake Eustis. That account comes from a Lake County arrest affidavit cited by FOX 35 Orlando.
Charges and Potential Penalties
The Lake County arrest affidavit states that prosecutors charged Josie Garcia Lugo, 36, with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling and petit theft of more than $100 but less than $300. Under Florida law, burglary of an occupied dwelling is classified as a second-degree felony, and petit theft of property valued at $100 to less than $750 is generally treated as a first-degree misdemeanor, although thefts from dwellings follow different thresholds that are outlined in state law. (Florida Statutes – 810.02, Florida Statutes – 812.014.)
Booking and Next Steps
Local reporting indicates Garcia Lugo was booked into the Lake County Jail and that bond was set at $3,500. The case is expected to move through the county criminal court process, and any future hearings or filings will appear in public records and releases from local authorities.
