PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- Pasco Sheriff's deputies arrested Alexander Santiesteban, 39, and Gianna Amaro, 26, and accused them of stealing thousands of dollars' worth of appliances from homes under construction in the Watergrass subdivision in Wesley Chapel.
- Alexander Santiesteban, Gianna Amaro allegedly stole appliances from homes under construction
- Santiesteban fled in U-Haul when approached by deputy
- Neighbors say they plan to be more vigilant
- More Pasco County headlines
"It's not that surprising. The homes are kind of left open, so if they're putting appliances and things in really early, I think it's easy to happen," said neighbor Andrew Piccarelli.
The burglaries happened at two neighboring homes. According to arrest documents, a Whirlpool refrigerator and washing machine valued at a total of $1,700 were taken from the home at 7596 Ashcroft Drive.
From the home next door at 7602 Ashcroft Drive, a Whirlpool range, microwave, dishwasher, and washer and dryer set with a combined value of $2,110 were taken. The report states Santiesteban entered that house through an unlocked sliding glass door and used a dolly to move the items into a U-Haul, where Amaro was waiting.
"I think there needs to be more security things put up. I mean, half the time, even with our house, when we were building, we were the ones closing our doors. Even if it was raining, we didn't want the rain in the house. I think there could be a better due diligence to make sure that the houses are closed up better," said Piccarelli.
A deputy on his way into work confronted Santiesteban in front of the homes, and he fled in the U-Haul. Deputies pursued the truck into Hillsborough County and back into Pasco.
After multiple attempts to stop the truck with stop sticks, it came to a stop on Interstate 75, just north of State Road 52. Santiesteban fled on foot into the woods, where he was apprehended by a deputy and K9. Amaro was found in the back of the truck with the appliances. Santiesteban reportedly told deputies he planned to resell the appliances.
Pasco County is seeing a boom in construction countywide, but Sheriff's Office Community Relations Director Kevin Doll said construction site thefts are not unique to the county or the state, but are a nationwide issue.
"In all honesty, I'm not concerned because this was targeted," Piccarelli said. "I don't see it as they were going and looking at peoples' homes. They obviously knew which homes had appliances in them."
Another neighbor, Curt Marshall, said he plans to be more vigilant.
"We have a lot of people coming and going through here, you know, looking at the new homes -- we don't know who they are," Marshall said. "I do have an alarm system that I will be putting up -- especially after hearing this now. It'll be top of the list."
Santiesteban is charged with burglary, grand theft, resisting an officer, possession of burglary tools, fleeing to elude, and driving with a suspended license. He was also arrested for warrants out of Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Amaro is charged with burglary, grand theft, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.