INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Authorities have arrested one man and are still searching for another after serving two simultaneous search warrants as part of a narcotics and stolen property investigation.
George Whitfield, 57, of 5025 32nd Court, Vero Beach faces felony possession of cocaine and felony sale of cocaine charges. He was released from the Indian River County Jail on $30,000 bond.
Authorities are still seeking Isaac Roberts, 49, of Vero Beach who was not present during the search.
Roberts has active arrest warrants for sale or possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and possession of cocaine, according to a statement from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Police served the warrants around 7 a.m. Wednesday, at 5025 and 5035 32nd Court, Vero Beach.
They recovered approximately six grams of cocaine, 60 grams of marijuana, and 50 prescription pills including oxycodone, hydrocodone and alprazolam. They also found two rifles, two pistols, numerous scales, baggies and other paraphernalia, more than $3,600 in cash and 51 pieces of suspected stolen lawn equipment.
“This case stands as an example of the connection between illegal drugs and theft crimes such as burglary and dealing in stolen property. While some stolen property ends up in pawn shops, much of it finds its way to drug dealers who are essentially creating a market to promote burglary and theft,” said Sheriff Deryl Loar in a statement. “Our investigative teams will continue to investigate this and other similar cases to help reduce the further victimization of our community members.”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Roberts is asked to contact the Special Investigations Unit of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office at (772) 978-1217. Those wishing to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward up to $1,000, can provide information through Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477 or www.tcwatch.org.
