2 men accused of stealing more than $1.7K in tools and items from Punta Gorda storage units

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. —

Two men are accused of breaking into storage units and stealing items in Charlotte County on Sunday.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrest report, deputies responded to a call of trespassing at Punta Gorda Affordable Storage Units around 6 a.m.

The owner of the units was in Tampa when she received notifications on her phone of motion detected at the storage units between the times of 1:50 a.m. and 3:58 a.m.

Deputies arrived at the property and heard an audible alarm. They then observed that three units had been broken into, with a broken lock lying in front of one and a silver wrench lying in front of another.

Deputies also saw a white trailer with the side door unsecured and a broken lock lying next to it. They then observed a red Circle K coffee cup, which still had warm coffee in it, next to the dumpster.

The owner of one of the units arrived at the scene around 5:30 a.m. and was able to identify stolen items from their unit. Some of these items included a power drill and charging set, a portable speaker, a pressure washer, an electric torque wrench, and others. The total value of the items stolen from the storage unit was $1,774, the report said.

Deputies reviewed surveillance footage from the storage units but could not immediately identify the suspects.

On Monday, deputies reviewed surveillance footage from the nearby Circle K, which showed the two suspects inside the gas station purchasing coffee.

The suspects were identified as Fredrick Weaver, 55, and Ronnie Macdonald, 53, the report said.

Both men were questioned by deputies. Macdonald told deputies that he and Weaver go dumpster diving around Punta Gorda.

Macdonald confirmed to deputies that he was at the storage units Sunday with Weaver. According to the report, Macdonald told deputies he took the stolen items but denied breaking into any of the storage units.

Macdonald also told deputies he was willing to give the items back.

Weaver corroborated Macdonald's story, and both men were arrested.

Macdonald and Weaver face charges of unarmed burglary of an occupied structure, two counts of unarmed burglary of an occupied conveyance and grand theft.

Weaver faces an additional charge of failing to register as a convicted felon.

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