Police in Bucket Truck Saves the Day!

STAFF REPORT
Published: Friday, September 7, 2012 at 9:26 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, September 7, 2012 at 9:26 a.m.

Sheriff’s deputies watching from atop a bucket truck caught a man breaking into a [FPL] facility, authorities say.

Deputies arrested Cornelius McClern, 37, of the 2800 block of Pershing Avenue, inside the FPL facility on the 5600 block of McIntosh Road.

Recent crimes in the area prompted the surveillance. McClern tried to pry open the front door of the storage building about 3:20 a.m., reports noted, while deputies watched from their [Bucket Truck] perch. When he couldn’t get inside, McClern walked around and entered the building through another door.

A stolen vehicle found nearby is believed to be connected to McClern.

McClern has a criminal history in Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties with 53 felony charges dating back to 1990, including arrests for burglary, grand theft and trafficking in stolen property. He was released from prison in March of this year, but arrested in Manatee County for another crime in June.

McClern was booked into the Sarasota County Jail Thursday and charged with burglary of an occupied structure, possession of burglary tools and criminal mischief.

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