Holmes Beach police arrested Joseph Robinson III, 27, of Bradenton, Jan. 2 on a third-degree felony charge for allegedly trespassing at a posted construction site.
The Holmes Beach Police Department, in a report, said an officer saw an open door around 11:22 p.m. Jan. 1 at a construction site in the 400 block of 39th Street, where signage warned against trespassing.
The officer closed the door, secured a latch and left the property.
The officer returned around 1:55 a.m. Jan. 2 and found the door ajar, so he called for backup to check the building.
Three officers entered the home after announcing their presence and found a man, later identified as Robinson, asleep in a room on the second floor.
Robinson awakened and was placed in handcuffs.
According to a report, Robinson said he knew it was illegal to enter private property without permission but because he was interested in buying the home he had been staying inside “the past few nights.”
An officer arrested Robinson and transported him to the Manatee County jail, where he remained in custody under $2,500 bond as of Jan. 10.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice