UPDATE: 8th Arrest Made in Stolen-Vehicles Case; More Arrests Expected

Date Added: January 31, 2019 1:42 pm

UPDATE:  8th ARREST MADE IN STOLEN VEHICLES CASE
Daytona Man Charged With Stealing Jeep

Contact: Laura Williams,
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

(Earlier news release follows this update).

Following a search warrant executed earlier this week that netted multiple arrests, detectives made an eighth arrest Wednesday, charging a Daytona Beach man with stealing a Jeep Wrangler from an area car lot.

Armand Caruso,  65, of 1374 Taylor St., Daytona Beach, is charged with three counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle and one count of grand theft.

Caruso’s address was the subject of Monday’s search warrant in which several stolen vehicles were recovered, including a 1994 Jeep Wrangler. The then-blue Jeep was reported stolen Jan. 3, 2019, from a car lot at 1312 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach.

This week, detectives were led to the Taylor Street address during an investigation into multiple stolen vehicles from a DeLeon Springs home. While on scene during the search warrant, detectives found a camouflage-colored Jeep on the property. The Jeep had been reported stolen. Since then, it was painted.

During Monday’s search, Caruso was not at the scene to be questioned. But the investigation led to probable cause to arrest him in the theft of the Jeep, two stolen RVS and more than $9,000 worth of stolen property found on his property. Caruso  remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail on $65,000 bail.

Still more arrests are expected in this investigation.

ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE : Jan. 29, 2019

Jan. 29, 2019

For immediate release

Contact: Laura Williams, Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

VCSO ARRESTS 7 IN TRAIL OF STOLEN VEHICLES, PROPERTY
Thieves Stole 5 Vehicles, Contents of Empty DeLeon Springs Home 

Seven people were arrested Monday on charges including the theft of several vehicles and thousands of dollars’ worth of property, most belonging to one couple. More arrests are expected.

The weeklong investigation began when Volusia County sheriff’s detectives were tipped off that a stolen black Mercedes and a stolen RV were recently spotted in Daytona Beach. Detectives learned the vehicles belonged to a couple who own an unoccupied home in DeLeon Springs. The home was left empty in late 2017 after a remodeling project was put on hold and the couple moved.

In recent weeks, the suspects burglarized the house and helped themselves to its contents undetected.

On Monday at 1:15 a.m., deputies stopped the stolen RV on LPGA Blvd., ultimately arresting the three occupants: Steve Wilmoth (DOB 6/18/1980), Brandi Hassan (DOB 7/10/1980) and Lisa Findley (DOB 6/22/1976). All three were arrested for one count each of grand theft auto. Two hours later, the Mercedes was recovered unoccupied in Port Orange.

Detectives then executed a search warrant Monday at 1374 Taylor St., Daytona Beach, where a second stolen RV belonging to the DeLeon Springs couple, was recovered in the front driveway. A Jeep Wrangler, stolen from less than a mile away and repainted, was found in the back yard. In addition, a 2007 black Ford Mustang, stolen from a Mason Avenue car lot in Daytona Beach, was recovered.

At least $9,000 worth of patio and home property and materials from the DeLeon Springs home were recovered at the Taylor Street home.

Daren Usher (DOB 04/13/1969) and Nancy Iozzi, (DOB 11/01/1964), a resident of 1374 Taylor St., were arrested during the search. Both were arrested and charged with two counts of grand theft auto (for both stolen RVs) and one count each of grand theft under $20,000.

Also during execution of the search warrant, detectives located a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox at the home and arrested its registered owner, Mellissa J. Whitley (DOB 10/12/1989) and her boyfriend Phillip Iozzi (DOB 9/22/1986). Both were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamines and marijuana under 20 grams.

All seven defendants remain in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail. Here is their bail status:

Lisa Findley; $40,000;

Brandi Hassan, no bail allowed;

Nancy Iozzi, $50,000;

Phillip Iozzi, $2,000;

Daren Usher, no bail allowed;

Mellissa Whitley, $2,000;

Stephen Wilmoth, $20,000;

This investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.