OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A husband and wife duo responsible for a string of car burglaries across Southwest Ocala have been arrested, thanks to the diligent work of Ocala Police Detective Decker and the cooperation of an attentive community tipster.

Luis Omar Aquino Torres, 42, and Yecenia Ivette Vazquez Aquino, 48, face multiple charges, including car burglary, theft, and credit card fraud. The investigation began on Dec. 3, when five car burglary cases, all exhibiting similar methods, were assigned to Det. Decker.

A String of Crimes

The first reported incident occurred on Nov. 28, when a victim informed Cpl. Camacho that their vehicle had been burglarized after visiting Epic Theaters on SW College Rd. Personal items, cash, a driver’s license, and debit cards were stolen. Surveillance footage later revealed that the stolen debit cards were used for over $2,000 in fraudulent purchases at Walmart and the Paddock Mall.

That same day, another burglary took place at Cracker Barrel on SW College Rd. The victim reported the theft of a debit card, which was subsequently used to make over $1,500 in fraudulent purchases at the same locations.

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Additional car burglaries followed in the SW Ocala/S.R. 200 area, including incidents at Gaitway Plaza, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Hollywood 16 Theaters. Each case involved unlocked vehicles with valuables left in plain sight, a common modus operandi for the suspects.

The Breakthrough

Photographs of the suspects were shared on the Ocala Police Department’s Facebook page as part of a ‘Can You Identify’ post. On Dec. 4, a vigilant tipster recognized the suspects at a 7-Eleven on SE Maricamp Rd. and promptly contacted the authorities. Officers Perico and Lucenilla arrived at the scene and apprehended the suspects.

Community Collaboration

The arrests were the result of coordinated efforts by Det. Decker, Cpl. Camacho, and other officers, as well as the invaluable assistance of the community. OPD extends a huge thank you to all officers involved in these cases and to the tipster whose vigilance helped bring closure to these cases.

A Reminder to Residents

Authorities are urging residents to take precautions to avoid becoming victims of similar crimes. OPD reminds you to always lock your vehicle doors and avoid leaving valuables, money, or firearms unattended in your car.