KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA — A Polk County tow truck driver was arrested after allegedly breaking into a vehicle he was dispatched to impound and stealing the owner's debit card — a woman who had just been arrested for petty theft herself and was now, according to Sheriff Grady Judd, the victim.

Markus Anthony, 32, of Kissimmee, faces charges of burglary, theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and drug possession, in addition to an outstanding burglary warrant out of neighboring Osceola County.

What Happened

Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested a woman for petty theft and followed standard protocol — inventorying her vehicle, photographing it, and calling a towing service. Anthony was dispatched to tow the car. When the woman bonded out of jail and went to retrieve her vehicle from the tow yard, she noticed several personal items were missing, including her debit card. She called deputies to report the theft.

"Even though we just arrested her and put her in jail, now she's a victim," Sheriff Judd said. "She called us back and said, 'You know, I might have been arrested for petty theft and stealing somebody else's stuff, but I really don't like people stealing my stuff.'"

Investigators quickly identified Anthony as the suspect. Not only had he allegedly broken into the car and taken the debit card, he had already begun using it to make fraudulent purchases. A background check revealed the active Osceola County burglary warrants. When deputies took him into custody, they also found illegal drugs in his possession.

"Not only is he in trouble, he's in worse trouble than the other lady is," Judd said. "And I'm glad she called us."

Broader Investigation

Sheriff Judd announced that the agency has opened an ongoing investigation into the practices of the towing company that employed Anthony. "Who is it that you're hiring? We have to have trustworthy people in this business, and this guy here is not trustworthy," Judd said.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Interview courtesy of local media.

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