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Four Arrested in 'Operation Stolen Soles' Bust Tied to Multi-State Sneaker Heists

Investigators linked a Tampa crew to at least 10 mall break-ins across three states using rooftop entries, surveillance and rental records.

Overview

  • Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek announced four arrests connected to the Treasure Coast Mall rooftop burglary, with the probe continuing and additional arrests anticipated.
  • Detectives apprehended three suspects during a Nov. 17 burglary at Volusia Mall in Daytona Beach and arrested a fourth later in Tampa, with all four to be transferred to Martin County.
  • Authorities estimate overall losses at $700,000 to $1 million involving hundreds of high-end sneakers, and investigators say the stolen shoes have not been recovered.
  • The crew’s tactics included cutting into a roof above a Champs Sports during a seven-hour break-in, using a U-Haul and a follow car, stopping at a Wawa, and renting tools such as a circular saw and an extension ladder from a Tampa Home Depot.
  • Investigators identified the suspects as Michael McCray, Jimmel Raiford, Herbert Davis III and Tyrone Howard, and labeled McCray the primary target with a prior 2018 burglary conviction.