Former Sarasota County teacher faces grand theft charges

Former Booker High School marine science teacher Doug O’Connell is back in hot water after allegedly stealing a Cheesecake Factory customer’s credit card and spending more than $1,000. The charges come four months after O’Connell resigned from the School District following accusations of inappropriate behavior involving students.

Sarasota County deputies arrested O’Connell Friday, for grand theft and criminal use of personal information nearly one month after Illinois resident Frank Visconti reported fraudulent charges at Dollar Tree and Estate Coin and Jewelry Galleria on Main Street. Visconti alleged O’Connell had been his waiter at the popular Mall at University Town Center restaurant.

Officers analyzed video footage from the jewelry store and noted the suspect was wearing the same clothing O’Connell was wearing when deputies first interviewed him about the incident. The store owner noted he appeared to be trying to avoid the surveillance cameras, according toa probable cause affadavit.

O'Connell was booked into the Sarasota County Jail Friday, and bonded out the following day.