Big Pine Key – Two women from Miami were arrested for burglary at a home on Croton Lane, Big Pine Key Sunday evening.
Deputies Martin Reyes and Spencer Curry responded to the home at 8:50 p.m. after the property manager called to say someone was in the house who did not belong there. Deputy Reyes was first to arrive. When he knocked on the door, he heard someone running out the back. He apprehended 27 year old Mariela Abarca and 22 year old Janel Vega.
The property manager, who lives nearby, said no one had permission to be in the house. The owner lives in New Jersey.
Abarca and Vega both told the deputies they drove down from Miami with no destination in mind. They said they spotted the house and thought it looked nice because it was on a canal, had a hammock hanging outside and looked like there was no one around.
They both said they had some food, so they went up on the porch of the house to eat it. They said the sliding glass door in the back opened when they pushed on it, so them went inside to heat up their food and to watch television.
The rear sliding glass door showed signs it had been forced open. A small amount of marijuana was found in a bag belonging to Abarca.
Both of the women were arrested. They were charged with burglary, criminal mischief and trespassing. Abarca was additionally charged with possession of marijuana.