The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a teenager for burglarizing multiple locations, starting in late June. The teen faces both felony and misdemeanor charges for his month-long spree.
On June 26, 2020, William McDougal, 16, forced entry into Collier's Mower Repair, located at 1416 Florida Avenue in Seffner. There, he removed cash from the register and the DVR used for surveillance video, which together, was an estimated value of $390.00.
About a month later, on July 27, at approximately 2:00 a.m. McDougal and an unidentified suspect unlawfully entered the victim's detached barn door in Dover. They removed three dirt bikes and two chain saws, valued at approximately $4,500.00. The victim caught the duo in the act, and McDougal and his accomplice fled from the scene.
Later that morning, McDougal forced entry into Parkesdale Farms, located at 3914 Tanner Road in Dover. He, along with an unidentified suspect, covered their faces in an effort to conceal their identities with jackets from inside the venue, broke a surveillance camera and stole a John Deere Gator HPX ATV. The vehicle is valued at approximately $4,000.00. Surveillance video of the incident can be viewed here.
Then, during the early morning hours of July 29, McDougal entered a closed barn in Dover. He took three dirt bikes, lawn equipment, tools and a mountain bike. The total value of the items stolen was an estimated $7,850.00.
During the overnight hours of July 29-30, McDougal and an unidentified suspect took a Yamaha YZF R3, valued at $10,000.00 from the victim's driveway in Seffner. In an effort to start it, the duo damaged the ignition.
McDougal's last stop on his burglary spree was on July 30, where he dismantled the Seffner property's surrounding privacy fence and gain access to the victim's Polaris ATV. Using a screwdriver, McDougal was able to start the ignition and take the estimated $12,000.00 vehicle. He damaged the ignition on that ATV and another, but was unable to start the latter.
McDougal was arrested last Friday night for his outstanding warrants. He faces charges of Grand Theft Motor Vehicle (x9), Criminal Mischief $200 or Less (x4), Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure (x3), Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure while Wearing a Mask, Grand Theft Third Degree ($750-$5,000) and Grand Theft Third Degree ($5,000-$10,000).
"This is a great example that showcases the dedication of our deputies," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "There were multiple victims and businesses affected by this young suspect's crimes over the last month, and now, he'll finally pay for the crimes he committed. There is no room for this kind of behavior in Hillsborough County, and I hope this is a lesson to all criminals that our deputies will not stop looking for you no matter how much time has passed."
McDougal also has a warrant out of Polk County for his arrest, where he faces additional charges of Burglary and Grand Theft.
Deputies continue searching for the other unidentified subject. If you have any information, you're asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.
