VERO BEACH — A woman was jailed Thursday after police said she went inside a man’s home, put on his clothes, then stole his tools and bicycle.
Lori Shade
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Lori Shade told officers she went in the residence and found a pair of black and white Nike pants along with salmon and white-colored Nike shoes, reports show. Shade put on the pants and shoes, then walked away from the home with tools and a gray bicycle, all of which belonged to the homeowner.
Police arrested Shade, described as homeless, on charges of burglary of occupied dwelling, grand theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. Shade’s booking information listed her as 59 years old, but her arrest affidavit showed she is 51.
Shade was held Friday at the Indian River County Jail on $20,500 bond. Police were still searching for another suspect – an unidentified man – who was also found in the home and ran from the area.
Vero Beach police responded to reports of two suspicious people about 8 a.m. at the home in the 1700 block of 20th Avenue. An electrical worker hired to perform renovations arrived at the residence when he saw the front door was already open.
The worker went inside and found Shade along with a man in the laundry room, reports show. The worker told police the man immediately ran out of the room, through the backdoor and continued westbound.
Shade told the worker she fell asleep and was waiting for her friends to come back, reports show. The worker took cellphone pictures of Shade as Shade left the residence wearing the homeowner’s clothes and taking his bicycle, police said.
Officers detained Shade, who still had the bicycle, nearby at Charles Park. Shade was also found with a Stanley flathead screwdriver and a box cutter taken from the back patio of the home.
The stolen tools, clothes and bicycle found with Shade had a total value of $2,290, reports show.
The homeowner – who was not in the residence during the incident – told officers his back door patio appeared to have been pried open. The homeowner said a saw and drill – worth $350 total – were still missing from his home, reports show.
Police booked Shade in to the county jail. Shade has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. April 23, court records show.