Lake City, FL – Two burglary suspects are in custody without bond Tuesday after deputies say they were caught with stolen lawn equipment and narcotics following an early-morning crime in Lake City.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 4:00 a.m. Tuesday to a burglary in progress at Pro John Deere, 692 SW Arrowhead Terrace, after security cameras captured two suspects stealing equipment from the property.
Investigators say the suspects allegedly removed two zero-turn lawn mowers through a cut hole in a fence and loaded them onto a trailer attached to a U-Haul rental truck. Deputies later spotted the U-Haul near State Road 47, and a felony traffic stop was conducted on southbound I-75.
Authorities identified the occupants as David James Monk, 39, and Joshua Aaron Baity, 43, both of Jacksonville. During the stop, deputies allege Monk threw narcotics from the window of the rental truck, leading to additional charges.
Both stolen mowers were recovered and returned to the business owner, according to the sheriff’s office.
Baity was arrested and charged with burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools, deputies said. Monk faces similar charges, along with additional counts of obstruction of justice and possession of narcotics.
Both suspects are currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Facility with no bond, pending further court proceedings.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information related to the burglary is encouraged to contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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