INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Police arrested a homeless man after they say the man was seen smashing in a car window and stealing a purse in front of the Majestic 11 movie theater Sunday morning, according to an arrest report.
Juan Avila-Lopez, 47, now faces charges including felony auto burglary, misdemeanor criminal mischief, and theft. He is being held on $27,000 bond.
A witness observed Avila-Lopez knocking on the rear window of a Honda in the movie theater parking lot when he was deterred by two people leaving Kmart in his direction, according to the arrest report.
The witness continued to watch as the man returned to the Honda and punched in the rear window, snatched a purse out of the back seat, got into a silver vehicle and drove off, according to the arrest affidavit.
The witness followed Avila-Lopez until law enforcement took over.
The victim reported her purse containing $25 and spare car keys were missing from her vehicle. Avila-Lopez was identified by the witness as the man who broke into the vehicle, the report states.
He is being held in the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $27,000 bond.
