Trio Charged in West Marine Theft

NEWS RELEASE 17-236 - NOVEMBER 8, 2017
Gordon, Keith Heeter, Brian Delgado, Eric
Gordon                                             Heeter                                             Delgado


The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested three men Tuesday afternoon after connecting them with the theft of more than $800 in rods and reels from West Marine in Sarasota.

Patrol deputies responded to 1860 S. Tamiami Trail just before 2:30 p.m., for reports of a theft at the popular boating store. According to the store manager, the suspect grabbed an armful of rods and reels before jumping into a dark-colored van in a nearby parking lot. The manager took down the license plate number before the van fled southbound. An off-duty deputy travelling north on I-75 located the suspect van and initiated a traffic stop in the intersection of Laurel and Pinebrook roads in Nokomis. Using surveillance video obtained from the parking lot, deputies and detectives worked together to identify Keith Gordon, DOB 09/24/86, as the suspect. The driver of the van, Brian Heeter, DOB 11/28/90, and passenger Eric Delgado, DOB 05/24/90, were also seen in the surveillance video helping Gordon get away. Deputies observed the stolen merchandise inside the vehicle and took all three men into custody.

Gordon, of 1400 10th Street, Sarasota, is charged with Grand Theft and remains in custody today on $1,500 bond. Heeter and Delgado, both of Bradenton, were charged with Principle to Grand Theft. Heeter was released and Delgado remains in custody on $1,500 bond. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.