Christmas Day Burglary Unravels Florida Crime Spree: Rare Books, Tortoises, and Signed Guitars Stolen

A christmas Day burglary in St. Petersburg, Florida, triggered a chain of events that exposed a bizarre crime spree spanning multiple counties. While Keith lawless and his family were celebrating Christmas Day in Southern England, security cameras at their Old Northeast neighborhood home captured an intruder in their living room. The ensuing investigation uncovered a series of unusual thefts, including rare books and endangered tortoises, ultimately leading to arrests and prison sentences for those involved.

Keith Lawless was awakened on December 25, 2022, by his phone buzzing while in Southern england with his wife and daughter. Security camera notifications from their St. Petersburg home indicated movement in their living room. lawless immediately checked the camera feeds.

“There was movement in their living room,” Lawless later recounted, setting off a frantic series of events from across the Atlantic.

The unsettling reality unfolded as Lawless watched a man loading guitars into his BMW before transferring them to another vehicle a few blocks away. Lawless,a former local radio personality,immediately recognized the instruments as his own.

“They were his guitars, signed by various artists, like Jared Leto and Chester Bennington,” according to police reports, highlighting the sentimental and monetary value of the stolen items.

He woke his wife,Lucy,with the unsettling news: “We’re being robbed.” The Lawless family’s Christmas took an unexpected and devastating turn.

untangling a Crime Spree

The Christmas Day incident on December 25, 2022, initiated an extensive investigation, resulting in a St. Petersburg police report that grew to nearly 2,800 pages. detectives connected two men to several unusual burglaries across Florida, stretching from Pinellas county to St. John’s County.The stolen items included thousands of dollars worth of rare books and even endangered tortoises, creating a complex web of interconnected crimes.

The investigation led to the arrest of two men in connection with four burglaries in Florida, including the Lawless break-in. One of the men was also implicated in at least three other thefts. the theft of a tortoise from a St. Augustine zoo, where the thieves allegedly used a baby stroller, garnered international attention, showcasing the audacity and bizarre nature of the crime spree.

For Keith and Lucy Lawless, the burglary was deeply personal.Among the tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen items were irreplaceable family heirlooms, including a baptism bracelet engraved with three generations of family names, underscoring the emotional toll of the crime.

The couple waited anxiously as detectives worked to piece together the case, make arrests, and recover their stolen belongings. While the local cases concluded with guilty pleas and prison sentences for the burglars, the Lawless family and other victims may never fully recover everything that was taken, including their sense of security.

“There’s a certain experience when someone goes into your most private and personal space,”

Lucy Lawless

The emotional toll of the crime was notable, as Lucy Lawless explained:

“When you lose things that are strongly associated with your family roots, or the things that have been placed in your care for your child’s future, it is indeed pretty devastating.”

A History of Thefts

The investigation revealed a pattern of similar thefts dating back approximately 15 years. The FBI had investigated a series of peculiar thefts across the Midwest, including the theft of rare books from a Chicago bookstore, unique maps from a Pennsylvania book collector, and two 18th-century books from the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Ohio. This established a clear pattern of behavior and linked the current crimes to past offenses.

The earlier investigation focused on Joshua McCarty-Thomas, who was found to be selling rare books, including those stolen from the Hayes library. A search of his Ohio apartment uncovered a cache of stolen books, leading to federal charges. A judge sentenced McCarty-Thomas to about four years in prison, noting his intelligence, highlighting the calculated nature of his crimes.

Authorities believe McCarty-Thomas met Michael Campbell in prison, where Campbell was serving time for manufacturing methamphetamine. Federal records indicate their sentences overlapped for approximately two years.After their release, the pair became implicated in a series of thefts across Florida, suggesting a criminal partnership formed behind bars.

A Series of Thefts Across City and County Lines

A string of burglaries and thefts in Florida, particularly in Pinellas County, began on October 14, 2019, with a break-in at Lighthouse Books in St. Petersburg. The store was burglarized again about a week later.Several historic books disappeared, with the owner, Michael Slicker, estimating their retail value at over $100,000, demonstrating the notable financial impact on local businesses.

Other burglaries followed, including a 2022 break-in at Haslam’s Book Store, where approximately $27,000 worth of rare books were stolen, further illustrating the scope and impact of the crime spree on the rare book community.

The crime spree extended beyond books. In St. Augustine, two radiated tortoises were stolen from the st. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park in January 2023.One tortoise was later found dead, while the other was recovered. The thieves also stole a Galapagos tortoise, which was later found dead at McCarty-Thomas’s residence in May 2023. These incidents highlighted the cruelty and disregard for animal welfare displayed by the perpetrators.

Guilty Pleas and Lingering Impact

Both McCarty-Thomas and Campbell pleaded guilty to charges related to the burglaries and thefts. While the legal proceedings have concluded, the victims continue to grapple with the emotional and financial consequences of the crimes.

The Lawless family,along with other victims,face the challenge of rebuilding their sense of security and recovering from the loss of irreplaceable items.The case serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of such crimes on individuals and communities, emphasizing the need for vigilance and community support.

St.Petersburg Burglary Ring Busted: Rare Comics, Tortoises, and Stolen Goods Recovered

A St. Petersburg burglary ring, masterminded by Joshua McCarty-Thomas, has been dismantled following a series of investigations that spanned multiple counties and uncovered a bizarre collection of stolen items. the investigation, which began after a burglary at the home of lucy Lawless, led to the recovery of rare tortoises, valuable comic books, and other stolen property. Joshua McCarty-thomas and his accomplice,Michael Campbell,now face charges in Pinellas County,St. Johns County, and Marion County. The case also implicated McCarty-Thomas’s wife, Dashae McCarty-Thomas, who worked as a trainee for the Florida Department of Corrections.

The Lawless Burglary and Online Search

The investigation gained momentum after Lucy Lawless reported a burglary at her home. lawless and her husband, Keith Lawless, were in South England visiting Lucy’s mother for Christmas in late 2022 when they received an alert that their St. Petersburg home,located in the Old Northeast neighborhood,was being burglarized. The couple had listed their Prohibition-era home, known for its unique features including a hidden speakeasy, for more than $2 million.

Resolute to recover her family’s lost valuables,Lawless took to the internet,spending countless hours searching for items that had been taken.

I spent, over months, hours on the internet looking for items that had been taken from me.

Her efforts, combined with diligent police work, began to unravel the threads of McCarty-Thomas’s operation. the Lawlesses had disabled their house alarm to facilitate showings but kept the security cameras active. On December 26, 2022, Keith Lawless received an alert, prompting them to contact St.Petersburg dispatch from England after their initial 911 call failed. Police apprehended Michael Campbell inside the house, but a second burglar, later identified as Joshua McCarty-Thomas, had already escaped.

eBay Account and Comic Book Connection

As police investigated McCarty-Thomas, they discovered an eBay account with the username “YOU_CAN_NEVER_HAVE_TOO_MUCH_AWESOME,” run by his wife, Dashae McCarty-Thomas. Records indicated that the couple had sold, or attempted to sell, several stolen items through this account. These items included property taken during the Lighthouse Books break-in and comic books believed to have been stolen from the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.

Prior to the Lawless home break-in, Vibranium Comics in Ocala fell victim to burglars who stole several issues, some valued at nearly $2,000. These incidents, while concerning, seemed disparate until the more significant crime occurred at Haslam’s Book Store, an iconic St. Petersburg landmark.

Haslam’s Book Store,which had closed during the COVID-19 pandemic,was broken into,and thieves made off with several of the store’s most valuable books,including the complete writings of Elbert Hubbard, a writer from the early 1900s. The total value of the stolen books was estimated at approximately $27,000.

The Tortoise theft and Subsequent Revelation

Adding to the year’s odd crime spree, November saw the theft of two juvenile Galapagos tortoises from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm zoological Park. The tortoises, each valued at around $10,000, became the focus of an intense search. Initially, police had no leads in the tortoise theft, despite reviewing surveillance video from the park. The break in the case would not come until after the burglary at the Lawless home in St. Petersburg.

Campbell admitted that he and McCarty-Thomas were involved in several thefts, including the theft of the St. Augustine tortoises, claiming that McCarty-Thomas had planned the crimes and that he had served as his apprentice. St. Petersburg police reviewed surveillance footage from the st. Augustine Alligator farm and identified McCarty-Thomas and Campbell.McCarty-Thomas was seen pushing a baby stroller, believed to have been used to steal one of the tortoises.

A detective surveilled McCarty-Thomas’ home near Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg and spotted tortoises in the front yard. State wildlife investigators confirmed that the size and color of the animals matched the stolen tortoises.

Simultaneously, staff at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm had been searching the internet for the tortoises. As time goes on, you start to think ‘Are we ever going to get them back? said Gen Anderson, the general curator at the farm. How are they being taken care of?

The Lawless home, featured in an Orlando Weekly article in November 2022, showcasing its lush, dark furniture and a floor-to-ceiling wine collection, played a crucial role in the events to come. Campbell’s phone revealed text messages with McCarty-Thomas, planning the burglary. The phone also contained photos of the Orlando Weekly article featuring the Lawless home. In their texts, the men referred to the house as the vino house.

The house was in disarray, covered in fingerprint dust. Among the missing items were jewelry, guitars signed by alternative rock bands like Twenty One Pilots and My Chemical Romance, and a wine collection accumulated from guests at their 2015 wedding, many bottles bearing well-wishes.

Police quickly recovered some of the stolen items from the family’s BMW and Campbell’s car, which was parked nearby. Ultimately, they got a warrant to search (Campbell’s) car …it was literally stacked to the brim — the trunk, the back seat, the side seat, everything, Keith Lawless said.

The investigation into the Lawless home burglary ultimately unraveled a network of thefts that had plagued Florida throughout 2022. The recovery of the Galapagos tortoises and the arrest of the individuals involved brought a sense of closure to the victims and highlighted the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated crimes.

Stolen Comics, Tortoises, and Guitars: Florida Burglary Ring Dismantled After Multi-State Crime Spree

A St. Petersburg, Florida, burglary ring has been dismantled following a complex investigation that spanned multiple jurisdictions and involved a bizarre collection of stolen goods, including rare comic books, endangered tortoises, and musical instruments. The case began to unravel after a March 2023 burglary at the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Indiana, where approximately 50 comic books valued at $1.5 million were stolen.The investigation led authorities to Joshua McCarty-Thomas and Dashae McCarty-Thomas, ultimately uncovering a wider network of thefts and animal cruelty.

The investigation into a series of burglaries has uncovered a network of thefts targeting everything from rare tortoises to valuable comic books and antique books. The incidents have impacted businesses and families across state lines, leaving a trail of financial losses and emotional distress.

Stolen Comic Book Leads to Arrests

Allen Stewart, the executive director of the Hall of Heroes Superhero museum, played a crucial role in the investigation. One of the stolen comics was discovered on Dashae McCarty-Thomas’s eBay account. A vigilant board member purchased the comic,and upon confirming its origin,promptly notified the St. Petersburg police. This purchase served as the initial break in the case, setting off a chain of events that would expose a much larger criminal operation.

Tortoises Found, one Dead in Freezer

Five months after the initial burglary at the Lawless residence, police executed a raid on McCarty-Thomas’s St. Petersburg home. The search yielded a disturbing discovery: several tortoises, including two that had been stolen from St. Augustine. Tragically, one of the tortoises was found dead in a freezer. The surviving tortoise from St. Augustine was placed in quarantine for several months before being returned to its enclosure. The farm where it resides named him “Salvo,” meaning “out of danger” in Spanish. since his return,Salvo has reportedly tripled in size.

In addition to the stolen tortoises, authorities found three Redfoot tortoises, three endangered African spur Thigh tortoises, and a Leopard tortoise on the property. An official from ZooTampa assessed the reptiles and determined that they were in poor health. the animals were thin, and some exhibited shell deformities. They lacked proper food and water. According to reports, when placed in a grassy area, the tortoises immediately began to eat.

Charges Filed and Plea Deal offered

Following the discovery, Joshua and Dashae McCarty-Thomas were arrested on multiple new charges. Joshua McCarty-Thomas was afterward denied bail. Joshua McCarty-Thomas faced a multitude of charges,including burglary,grand theft,and dealing in stolen property.

In November 2023,nearly a year after the initial burglary at the Lawless residence,prosecutors met with McCarty-Thomas and his legal team to discuss a plea deal in exchange for details. During the meeting, McCarty-Thomas revealed the location of a local storage unit containing stolen items, including guitars. He also disclosed that the Lawless family’s jewelry was buried in his backyard. Police promptly searched the storage unit and excavated the yard, recovering the items.

Following the recovery of these items, police and Jordan Meyer, the prosecutor assigned to the case, contacted the Lawless family via FaceTime.

They were in the St. Pete Police Department, in a conference room, and they turned the camera around — the table was full of all of our stuff,
Keith Lawless

Captain america comic Book Surfaces

However, Meyer suspected that McCarty-Thomas was still withholding information. Officials believed he possessed a highly valuable comic book: an original Captain America #1 from the 1940s, stolen from the hall of Heroes in Indiana.Only one other institution, The Library of Congress, possesses an original copy of this comic. Approximately one week before McCarty-Thomas was scheduled to stand trial on the Pinellas charges, his lawyer surrendered the comic book to investigators.

McCarty-Thomas then entered an open plea to the Pinellas charges, leaving his sentence to be determined by a judge rather than negotiating an agreement with prosecutors. Meyer argued that McCarty-Thomas should receive a 15-year prison sentence based on his prior criminal record.

This is somebody who is not just your average burglar who’s doing this just to supply a habit, or just going into cars. This was somebody that was a professional.
Meyer

Judge julie L. Sercus, noting that some of the stolen items had been recovered, ultimately sentenced McCarty-Thomas to 12 years in prison, followed by 15 years of probation, according to Meyer. Michael Campbell, 47, received a similar sentence. dashae McCarty-thomas, who was terminated from her position with the Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty and received probation, according to court records.

Joshua McCarty-Thomas, 48, and Campbell are planning to appeal their sentences. They also face charges in St.Augustine related to the tortoise theft, as well as additional charges in Marion County.

Conclusion

The dismantling of this St. Petersburg burglary ring marks the end of a complex investigation that involved multiple jurisdictions and a wide array of stolen goods. While some items have been recovered and sentences have been handed down, the legal proceedings continue as Joshua McCarty-Thomas and Michael Campbell prepare to appeal their sentences and face additional charges in other counties.The case serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of theft and the dedication of law enforcement in pursuing justice.

Florida Crime Spree: Rare Books, Comics, Tortoises, and a Christmas Day Heist

A series of increasingly unusual burglaries across Florida, involving rare books, comic books, and even endangered tortoises, culminated in a Christmas Day home invasion, triggering an investigation that exposed a well-organized crime spree. The investigation, sparked by the Lawless home burglary, connected seemingly disparate incidents across multiple Florida counties, revealing the prior criminal history of McCarty-Thomas. Both McCarty-Thomas and his accomplice, Michael Campbell, ultimately pleaded guilty to charges related to the burglaries.

The Mastermind and His Apprentice

At the center of this bizarre crime wave was McCarty-Thomas, a seasoned criminal with a history of rare book theft and prior prison time for earlier crimes. Described as McCarty-Thomas’s “apprentice” was Michael Campbell, who had a prior record involving methamphetamine manufacturing.Together, they embarked on a series of burglaries that baffled investigators and left victims reeling.

A String of Unusual Targets

The crime spree encompassed a wide range of targets, reflecting the opportunistic nature of the perpetrators.The thefts included:

• Rare Book Thefts: Multiple bookstores, including Lighthouse Books and Haslam’s Book Store in St. Petersburg, were targeted, resulting in significant losses of valuable books. This connected to McCarty-Thomas’s established history of rare book theft.
• Comic Book Thefts: Several comic book stores in Brandon and Ocala were also burglarized, highlighting the opportunistic nature of the criminals.
• Tortoise Thefts: The theft of multiple tortoises, including endangered Galapagos tortoises, from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park, is particularly bizarre and garnered significant attention. One tortoise was found dead at McCarty-Thomas’s residence.
• The Lawless Home Burglary: This pivotal burglary, occurring on Christmas Day 2022, served as the catalyst for the inquiry. The thieves stole guitars, jewelry, wine, and other valuable and sentimental items. The targeting of this home may have been influenced by an article highlighting its features, including a speakeasy.

The Christmas Day Heist That Unraveled the Scheme

The burglary of the Lawless home on christmas Day 2022 proved to be the turning point in the investigation. The thieves made off with a haul of guitars,jewelry,wine,and other valuable and sentimental items. The lawless family’s experience became central to understanding the scope and impact of the crime spree. The targeting of this home may have been influenced by an article highlighting its features,including a speakeasy.

Unraveling the Mystery: The Investigation

The investigation, initiated by the Lawless home burglary, expanded significantly, connecting seemingly disparate incidents across multiple Florida counties and revealing the prior criminal history of McCarty-Thomas. The investigation involved reviewing security camera footage, analyzing phone records, and executing search warrants.

Justice Served, But Scars Remain

Both McCarty-Thomas and Campbell pleaded guilty to charges related to the burglaries. While some stolen items were recovered, the Lawless family and other victims suffered significant emotional and financial losses. Irreplaceable heirlooms and a sense of security were among the things lost.

The case highlights the devastating impact of property crimes on victims, extending beyond financial losses to include emotional distress and a loss of security.The Christmas Day break-in served as a crucial turning point, revealing a much larger and stranger pattern of criminal activity.