Mercedes-driving burglary suspect jailed in Sarasota

A man wanted in connection with a burglary on the other side of the state was arrested in Sarasota on Monday after the 2024 Mercedes-Benz he was driving was linked to a case in Brevard County.

Hector Hernandez, a 24-year-old Miami man, was charged with possession of burglary tools locally and was held without bond on an arrest warrant connected to several burglaries in the coastal county east of the Orlando area.

Image courtesy of Sarasota Police

Locally, police were alerted to the presence of the Mercedes on city streets via the department’s Real-time Operations Center. Officers spotted the vehicle around 9:40 p.m. and stopped it near Orange Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.

According to Brevard County investigators, the man responsible for the burglaries in their area wore a black hoodie, black mask, black gloves, camouflage pants and dark sneakers with white soles. Video confirmed the description.

Sarasota officers reported finding found all of those items in the trunk and glove box of the Mercedes-Benz. Additionally, power tools similar to those seen in the Brevard County video were found in the car. Wire cutters and a screwdriver were also found.

Hernandez told police he was not only the co-owner of an antique store, but also a licensed handyman, according to arrest documents.

Hernandez faces charges of possession of burglary tools, a felony. He was also issued a citation for unknowingly driving with a suspended license. He is being held at the Sarasota County Jail without bond.