Man, woman targeted unlocked vehicles in thefts, say Hillsborough deputies

Two people were arrested and accused of stealing and burglarizing several vehicles in Tampa, Westchase and Odessa, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Ashley McCabe and Brian Martin, both 35, were arrested Tuesday after trying to flee deputies in a stolen Audi A-5, the agency said. Deputies spotted the pair parked at a Town ‘N Country Wawa at the intersection of W Hillsborough Avenue and Hanley Road.

Martin rammed the car between deputies’ vehicles and fled north, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He left the Audi at the intersection of Fountain Avenue and Gateway Drive and ran away. McCabe was found in the Audi and arrested. Deputies said they caught and arrested Martin soon afterward.

McCabe and Martin are accused of stealing at least five cars and burglarizing several others while searching for unlocked vehicles in various neighborhoods from March 29 to April 12, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said they’ve located three of the stolen vehicles but are still searching for a 2009 black Ford F-150 pickup truck and a 2018 gray Honda Accord. The Accord’s owner told police he had left his keys and wallet in the car.

Sheriff Chad Chronister warned against the dangers of leaving a vehicle unlocked.

“These suspects were searching for easy targets and, sadly, there were plenty,” he said in a statement. “We hope it serves as a warning to others to take, at most a couple of minutes, to remove valuables from their vehicles, and lock the doors before stepping away.”

Martin faces 36 charges, including 13 counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, four counts of grand theft motor vehicle, four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, three counts of grand theft and two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon.

McCabe faces 28 charges, including 12 counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, four counts of fraudulent use of a credit car, three counts of grand theft motor vehicle and three counts of grand theft. Both were being held Saturday in the county jail without bail.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information about this case or the missing vehicles to call (813) 247-8200.