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Man caught using ladder to break into Flagler County home, deputies say

Suspected porch pirate also accused of stealing water from packages at another house

Sheriff's office body-worn camera video shows Ricardo Gonzalez being arrested after allegedly climbing a ladder to break into a home. (Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

PALM COAST, Fla. – Flagler County deputies arrested a man caught on camera using a ladder to break into a home and stealing water from packages at a neighboring house.

The arrest happened early Friday morning at a home on Ocean Way North in Palm Coast, according to deputies.

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Deputies said they responded to a call about a man rummaging through packages on the front porch of a home. Porch video showed the man going through boxes and ultimately stealing some bottled water.

While they were investigating, deputies saw the same man on a ladder entering the second story of another home, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said they made contact with the man, identified as Ricardo Gonzalez, who told them he was returning home from a walk.

Ricardo Gonzalez was arrested Friday and faces two counts of burglary of a dwelling, criminal mischief and petit theft. (Flagler County Sheriff's Office)

The sheriff’s office said he walked through the house and out the front door to meet with the deputies.

According to deputies, Gonzalez then admitted to breaking into the house using the ladder and stealing from the packages at the other house.

Gonzalez was arrested on two counts of burglary of a dwelling, criminal mischief and petit theft.

While Gonzalez has no prior criminal history in Flagler County, the sheriff’s office said he faced charges for several theft-related incidents in Miami-Dade County and out-of-state in New Jersey.

He is currently being held in Flagler County jail on a $26,000 bond.

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