Florida man allegedly stole from home while family slept

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A Central Florida man who was out on probation for a housebreaking cost is behind bars once more after being caught on digital camera, accused of stealing objects from a house whereas the household slept.

The alleged theft occurred about 2 a.m. final Wednesday morning when Adam Perdue’s Ring cameras at his residence close to Tangerine Avenue in unincorporated Seminole County captured the person getting into by his yard door, which he thought he had left locked and secured.

“We did not hear something in any respect. It was unbelievable,” he stated. “It was terrible to consider somebody strolling round when you’re at your most weak, fully asleep.”

For almost an hour, Perdue stated the person made 21 journeys out and in of his residence, stealing his pockets, the household’s Nintendo Swap, some liquor, and even his son’s iPhone from his nightstand.

“He is standing of their room whereas they’re asleep, and that is a fully horrible, horrible feeling,” Perdue stated.

Later that morning, the person additionally tried to interrupt into one other close by residence, however the house owner chased after him, in response to Seminole County sheriff’s deputies. He ended up once more inside Perdue’s residence for about 45 minutes earlier than he finally left. The household did not discover out in regards to the housebreaking till they wakened and Perdue’s son could not discover his telephone. 

“Each of my sons, they’re fairly rattled, however my youngest, particularly. He is had bother sleeping since this occurred. He does not wish to be on this room alone,” Perdue stated.

Neighbors advised deputies the person was 40-year-old James Danforth after figuring out him on Perdue’s surveillance video. He is on parole, accused of breaking right into a bar in January 2022. He was recognized, neighbors stated, for doing yard work within the space and is homeless. 

Perdue is simply grateful he is off the streets. 

“One of many boys might have woken up. That would have been terrible. I might have gotten harm if had I woken up, or I might have presumably ended somebody’s life,” he stated.

As of Monday night time, Danforth remained within the Seminole County jail. A choose didn’t concern him a bond for his housebreaking and grand theft prices throughout a listening to final week. He’s due in court docket subsequent month.