Ormond Beach, FL - Volusia County Sheriff's deputies were responding to a residential burglary alarm at a home on Kilgallen Court, when the suspect, 41-year-old Justin Aldrich, drove past, traveling away from the area. The deputy made a u-turn in his VCSO marked patrol car to follow and attempt a traffic stop. The deputy noticed Aldrich reaching into the back seat several times as if he were trying to hide something. Aldrich kept reaching into the backseat and did not immediately stop for the deputy.
The traffic stop was conducted in the 2400 block of Killarney Drive where Aldrich told the deputy that he was doing painting work in the area, spontaneously adding that he had to crawl into the home on Kilgallen Court because he was working there. The deputy did not get a good answer as to why Aldrich was at the residence with the alarm going off.
Aldrich was secured and after investigating the residence where he said he'd been working, deputies discovered forced entry into a bathroom window and an unlocked front door. When interviewing neighbors, one showed a picture of Aldrich's vehicle parked in the victim's driveway. That neighbor positively identified Aldrich as the person she had seen walking around the victim's home.
A search of Aldrich's vehicle after his arrest and per VCSO towing policy found a pillowcase under the rear of the passenger front seat with the victim's property inside. Where the pillowcase was found was consistent with the area that Aldrich was reaching for during the traffic stop. The victim later identified the property as belonging to him and his wife. The stolen property included jewelry, antique items, paper foreign currency, a checkbook, cuff links engraved with the victim's initials, and several other items.
Deputies say a pair of Aldrich's Nike tennis shoes were a match to shoe impressions at the point of entry. He was charged with burglary and grand theft and taken to the Volusia County Jail. He was released after posting $5,000 bond.
