A 24-year-old man is facing a felony charge for allegedly smashing the glass door of the Anna Maria General Store.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies from the Anna Maria substation responded around 5:35 a.m. Aug. 18 to 503 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, where a large rock had been thrown through the door.
Deputies found no one inside, but surveillance video led law enforcement to identify a suspect and a “be on the lookout” alert was issued.
At 6:55 a.m., Holmes Beach Police Department Officer Christine Labranche detained a man, Leonardo Tilelli, who matched the suspect’s description, walking east on the Anna Maria Island Bridge, while on her way to work.
According to police reports, Tilelli confessed to the burglary and items of evidentiary value were recovered during the arrest.
Damage at the store was estimated at $2,500 and about seven food-related items, their value totaling $42, were taken, according to the MCSO.
“This successful outcome reflects the strong partnership between MSO and HBPD and greatly benefits both the business community and the residents we serve,” Sgt. Brett Getman, who heads the MCSO city substation, wrote in an Aug. 19 email to The Islander.
Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court records show Tilelli faces a charge of felony third-degree burglary of an unoccupied structure.
His arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.