SEBASTIAN — The man police believe is responsible for four Sebastian burglaries that took place between Aug. 18 and Aug. 21 is now in custody after escaping them, then recaptured.
Austin Manning, 27, listed as homeless in Sebastian, now faces felony charges including four counts burglary of a structure, possession of cocaine, escape or attempted escape, petit theft, and scheme to defraud.
Police detained him the first time, the suspect escaped an interrogation room, jumped a fence and fled down the street where he was apprehended a second time less than one-tenth of a mile from the Sebastian police station.
On Aug. 18, around 9 p.m., police responded to King’s Humidor Cigar Shop where an alarm was sounding, according to a report. They found forced entry to the front door and a crow bar lying on the ground, according to the arrest report. A gun cleaning kit and $100 in cash was reported stolen.
On Aug. 20, authorities were called to Riverside Hobbies around 6 a.m. where another alarm was going off. A front window had been destroyed by a concrete block and $415 in cash, a cash register, safe box, and two remote control cars were discovered missing.
Third and fourth burglaries were reported on Aug. 21 around 1:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Fleming Street in Sebastian. Windows had been broken out at neighboring businesses, Sebastian Pool and Patio, and the Tip Top Nail Salon.
The arrest report shows $10 in change was taken from Sebastian Pool and Patio and a cash register containing $180 was taken from the nail salon.
Video surveillance caught the Pool and Patio burglary on tape and revealed a white male wearing brown camouflage shorts and a ski mask.
Police discovered Manning’s sister, Autumn Manning, parked in a dark parking lot Friday night, not far from where the last burglaries took place. Autumn Manning was arrested immediately on an active felony warrant, according to the arrest affidavit.
Around 10:45 a.m., police returned to Autumn Manning’s car that was left overnight in the parking lot. At that time, Austin Manning was seen pulling up to the car in another vehicle. He was wearing brown camouflage shorts similar to the ones observed in the security footage.
Police found crack cocaine on Austin Manning and questioned him about the four burglaries. He reportedly admitted to all burglaries at the time and blamed his behavior on drug addiction.
When confronted about his escape attempt, Austin told the arresting officer “he had to try.”
Autumn Manning was booked on felony petit theft and misdemeanor shoplifting charges. She was released on Aug. 21 on $2,000 bond.
Austin Manning is being held in lieu of $215,000 bond.