INDIAN RIVER COUNTY —A resident who happened to be in the right place at the right time when he discovered his neighbor rummaging through the resident’s work van and trying to make off with a box of goods.
Authorities arrested the Indian River County neighbor early Wednesday morning on a felony auto burglary charge.
Richard Hodges, 54, of 249 14th Place Southwest in Vero Beach is being held in lieu of $15,000 bond.
The victim was standing on his front porch when he observed a beam from a flashlight through the windows of his work van that was parked in his driveway.
He approached the vehicle and observed a man who he believed was his neighbor, searching through the vehicle.
The man now identified as Hodges fled the scene, dropping a box that contained $300 worth of electrical gear and hardware.
Authorities found Hodges in his home and arrested him after the victim positively identified him as the man seen burglarizing his van.
