Police name suspected Longboat jewelry thief

The Longboat Key Police Department has released the name of a suspect in connection with what officers say is a series of jewelry thefts in Sarasota County and Manatee County.

According to Detective Sgt. Robert Bourque, 35-year-old Lester Adony Lardi-Cruz of Sebring, is suspected of stealing a ring, valued between $30,000 and $40,000, from a Key residence at the 1100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in April.

An arrest warrant names Lardi-Cruz.

As an employee of Precise Blinds, a subcontractor for Lowe’s home improvement stores, Lardi-Cruz entered the victim’s home to install window shades and blinds, according to a statement issued by Key police. The victim allowed Lardi-Cruz access to her master bedroom to use the bathroom, leaving Lardi-Cruz alone in the room for several minutes. After Lardi-Cruz left the residence, the victim noticed her ring was missing from her jewelry box.

Bourque said Lardi-Cruz initially denied committing the crime. Upon investigation, police determined that Lardi-Cruz had made contact with a known drug dealer in Highlands County, offering to trade the ring for cash and narcotics. Lardi-Cruz also sent several other people text messages containing photos of more jewelry that police suspect to be stolen, Bourque said.

In a June 22 phone interview, Bourque said Lardi-Cruz admitted to stealing the Key victim’s ring, as well as stealing from “four or five” other homes while installing blinds.

Key police have determined the pair of earrings (pictured) were pawned in Sebring by an acquaintance of Lardi-Cruz on the suspect’s behalf. Police are currently seeking to identify the owner of the earrings.

According to Bourque, Lardi-Cruz agreed to surrender himself to Key police on Wednesday, June 28. The suspect did not follow through and the warrant was issued, Bourque said.

Precise Blinds and Lowe's are cooperating with the investigation, Bourque said. 

The Longboat Key Police Department is encouraging anyone who may have had jewelry stolen and had worked with Lardi-Cruz's employer, or anyone who may have information about the thefts, to contact Bourque at 941-316-1973.