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Suspect In Ruskin Burglaries Jailed

Photo from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Joseph Ewing of Gibsonton was arrested as he was about to break into yet another Ruskin business. Deputies say he is responsible for 15 recent break-ins.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

RUSKIN - Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a man May 16, who they say is responsible for 15 burglaries dating to April.

Joseph Ewing of Gibsonton was arrested as he was about to break into another business, said Detective Mike Massimei.

"We saw two white males checking out a business Energy Blanket Inc. and acting suspiciously around 2:45 a.m." May 16, Massimei said.

"We had seen a rise in business burglaries in the Ruskin area since May 1, as many as two or three a day," Massimei said.

As he was arrested, Ewing said he had just burglarized Hillsborough Hearing Aids on College Avenue, Massimei said. He also admitted breaking into 14 others, including Popi's restaurant, Advanced Auto Parts, Color Me Kids, The Village Shoppes and Pawn Pros.

"We also learned he was responsible for recent break-ins at St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and Northside Baptist Church," the detective said.

The man Ewing was with at the time of his arrest was not charged because he had no involvement. Ewing told deputies he operated alone.

Sheriff's office records show that Ewing was released from prison on Christmas Day 2006 after serving a year and a day for trafficking cocaine.

He was taken to Orient Road Jail, charged with petty theft, burglary of an unoccupied structure, felon in possession of a firearm and criminal mischief. Bail had not been set at press time.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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