Couple Charged With Stealing Scrap Metal

A man and his girlfriend were caught stealing aluminum and scrap metal from a Manatee County business Sunday night, according to authorities.

A Manatee County Sheriff's deputy on patrol entered the business plaza at 6915 15th St. E. around 11:22 p.m. Sunday when he noticed a vehicle coming around the business with only its parking lights on, a media release said.

When the driver, later identified as 25-year-old Danielle R. Farrell, spotted the deputy, she stopped and started to back up around the building, according to the sheriff's report. That's when the deputy noticed the scrap metal sticking out of the car's windows and trunk.

Farrell told the deputy that her boyfriend, 24-year-old Michael E. Remillard, works at the Benderson Development warehouse and was inside. 

When he couldn't be found, more units were called to the area. Remillard was later found walking on 15th Street East. He and Farrell confessed to going into the building and stealing the scrap, deputies said.

According to the sheriff's office, Remillard works for a subcontracting business and has keys to numerous businesses in Manatee and Sarasota counties and used a key to enter the Benderson warehouse.

The couple is charged with burglary to an unoccupied structure and theft, according to online sheriff's records. Farrell additionally faces two drug possession charges. The two were being held at Manatee County Jail.

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