Three young Jacksonville men–La Darvin Noisette, 20, Donte Juan McCrary, 21, and Jamari McCrary, 20–are at the Flagler County jail, each facing 19 felony burglary charges, including two charges each for armed burglary, which could land them in prison for life, if convicted. The trio is linked to similar sprees in Daytona Beach and St. Johns County around the same time.
The three men were arrested following a meticulous, technology-aided investigation–led by sheriff’s detective Joe Costello–into what may be the most extensive and destructive car-break-in spree in recent memory: the burglars smashed in windows of 26 vehicles at Madison Green Apartments and Tuscan Reserve Apartments in Palm Coast early the morning of January 23. In most cases, the burglars got nothing out of the break-ins except causing damage to every vehicle exceeding $500.
But they were looking for guns, and got two of them in two separate vehicles. Vehicle owners reported numerous other thefts as well: $280 in cash from a console, some credit cards and documents. Flagler County Sheriff’s detectives determined that firearms were the burglars’ target. The burglars used one of the credit cards at a Circle K in Ormond Beach.
A crime spree is seldom without mistakes. The burglars’ mistakes, and one of their stolen items–an iPod–led detectives back to them.
When the burglars used the credit card in Ormond Beach, it proved to be the first actionable key to the detectives’ investigation. The Sheriff’s Office’s Real Time Crime Center linked the credit card transaction to the business’ surveillance camera. The burglars’ vehicle was identified: a Volkswagen Passat, along with its tag. An analysis of license plate readers in Flagler County traced the vehicle to State Road 100, just before it apparently headed to the apartment complexes, then again an hour and 10 minutes later, going south on State Road A1A from 100, in Flagler Beach.
The Real Time Crime Center issued an “Attempt to Identify” bulletin to neighboring police agencies, with a photograph of the Passat. The vehicle’s registration was traced to Valencia Mitchell in Jacksonville, and to a residence where Noisette also lives.
The burglars committed another mistake after that one: one of the stolen items was an Apple iPod. It was linked to the owner’s Find My app. It pinned the burglars’ location: the ipod was at 2454 Britney Lakes Lane in Jacksonville. Costello was a few miles away from there. He turned around and went to that location, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The cops then surveilled the house. They saw a man they later identified as Jamari McCrary walk out and down four houses, with a bag in his hand. The pinging moved along the same way, and stayed where Jamari appeared to have left it. He’d slipped it in a mailbox.
The 2454 Britney Lakes Lane home was that of the McCrary brothers, who live with their mother, Amber Jones. Jones answered the door when cops knocked. She invited the officers inside and was cooperative, summoning her children downstairs.
According to an arrest report, “Jamari McCrary said he was trying to buy Apple Air Pods off some guy he found on an online app earlier today around 1 p.m. When he went outside to meet the guy on the street in front of his house and opened them up, he could tell they were stolen and returned them to the guy, sending him on his way.” All along, Jamari’s brother Donte sat on the stairs leading to the second flood, mostly silent.
Costello informed Jamari that he’d been watching him for hours now. He let Jamari know that he also had electronic eyes on the iPod all along, and that the device was still nearby, four houses down where Jamari had taken a walk. Jamari claimed to have gone there just to retrieve the mail.
But when cops and Jamari’s mother went to the mailbox, there was the stolen iPod.
The men’s mother pleaded with them to come clean. They remained steadfast: they’d not taken part in any break-ins. A Jacksonville officer secured a search warrant. The search of the house led to one of the stolen firearms, which was under Donte’s bed, and other items. The items were seized. The two men were not arrested just yet (it wasn;t Flagler’s jurisdiction). Their mother told the officers to let her know as soon as the charges were filed, so she could deliver her sons to the jail herself.
The Flagler detective subsequently gathered more evidence of the three men’s joint operations, and got more reports of break-ins, these in St. Johns County before meeting with the Passat’s owner. She acknowledged owning the car and letting Noisette drive it. She woke up her son, who denied to Costello of being involved in any break-ins. When faced with the evidence of the Passat’s itinerary of smash-ins, Noisette said he was only the driver, and that he never took part in any of the break-ins.
A search of Noisette’s room and home proved negative for any stolen goods. With Noisette’s phone number, the detective secured a search warrant for Noisette’s phone, which also traced Noisette’s whereabouts the morning of the smash-ins and placed him in the Passat. Searches of the two McCrary phones produced similar results, adding evidence that placed them where more firearms were stolen in the break-ins in St. Johns County on Jan. 14. Noisette admitted to being the only driver of the car.
Palm Coast has had its share of burglary sprees over the years. Typically in the past, the burglars would target a neighborhood, an apartment complex or a parking lot, going from vehicle to vehicle and breaking in only when the vehicle was left unlocked. There’s been more destructive break-ins, but those are generally the exception. In this case, every vehicle the burglars had a window smashed in.
The three men were first arrested by authorities in Duval and incarcerated at the Duval County jail before being transferred to the Flagler County jail on Tuesday, where they are each being held on $64,000 bond. They each face two counts of armed burglary and 17 counts of burglary. As of today, none of them had bonded out.
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Me says
Armed robberies. DeSantis announced yesterday he is considering allowing people to acquire weapons without permits or any background checks.
Remember these three when DeSantis signs that wacko plan into effect because this is what you will see happening all over the State of Florida. The Wild Wild Southern State of Florida caused by a incompetent governor that doesn’t care about human lives.
The Geode says
Did you not read the part where these three ALREADY had guns? No matter what “wacko plan” the governor signs or doesn’t sign, the people willing to use a gun already have guns. At least you’d have a fighting chance or you can keep cowering and peeking through your window blinds…
Try to vote him out then says
@: Me says:
It dosnt look like these 3 fine upstanding citizens acquired permits or passed any background checks so what is your point? That I should have to in order to defend myself from these clowns that look like a gorilla with IBS just pooped on their heads? Do I have to type slowly so you can understand? Criminals dont follow rules or obey laws!
Dianne says
Criminals don’t apply for permits…desantis is the best thing that ever happened to Florida
thepersonyouhate says
My Grandfather gave me a 1911 he bought in the 30. It came with a few 25 round extended magazines he also bought in the 30s. My grandfather shot a 30 round magazine out of his m1 carbine during WW2. Civilian bought a ton of them after the war. So tell me, if shooting and gun crime are worse today, but the guns have always been there, how are you supposed to blame the guns? Maybe let’s look at some major difference between now and then. Ohhh! Could it maybe be that a ridiculous large amount of today’s interactions for younger than 40 individuals are on the internet? Where there no accountability? Or maybe it’s the terrible parents that exist today that feel it’s better to blame video games than to actually be a parent? I could go on and on mate. But if you actually think it’s the guns fault, you not to stop force feeding bullshit and do some actually research from people who are qualified to talk about the subject. Not politician, not the news, actually research. Stop being lazy.
Upstanding youths says
Kudos to the FCSO and these gentlemen’s barber.
Steve says
On the positive side free haircuts in the State prison system.
Jackson1955 says
Total disgrace! Judge, please send a strong message!
feddy65 says
What’s the over/under on them serving anything over 1 year?
Tomas Lewis says
No mention of any of them working or attending school.In the case of young adults who have been arrested and or associate with others who have been in trouble ,the Florida DMV should implement rules that would require those individuals who are not enrolled in an education institute or employed, to be stripped of their driving privileges at night.
are you insane? says
While were at it, lets arrest black babies now before they become criminals. Have you even read the Constitution? What if someone is taking a year off college before deciding on a major (I did!)? Maybe travel and see the world, backpack through Europe on savings from a previous job or perhaps parent funded… You cannot narrow the focus of your proposed law to nappy headed non whites up to no good prone to smash and grab thefts.
AJ says
Nappy headed? Racist much? Straw headed thin lipped clear people always hiding behind emails but will cowar in a corner when approved by black greatness
steve says
classic police work….way to go Joe!
Land of no turn signals says says
The barber should do some time.Great work by the sheriff’s dept.
Bill May says
FCSO and other law enforcement officers have likely saved their lives. Sooner or later, someone legally armed will catch them breaking into a car or other property, feel threatened, and hurt them. Enough is enough.
Kip says
Be out on bond in 24 hours
Glen says
Hmm recurring theme here with all this violent crime. Dig the dreads.
feddy65 says
The one guy is rockin the Buckweat cut.
ATBP says
I’m sure we’ve been paying for these three their entire lives so I guess its fitting we pay for the remainder of their lives penned up. What could we have done as a society to not make these three career criminals. I know I should feel some kind of guilt in this, but Im having trouble finding the words…..
Brutus the Barber Beefcake says
I know who’s going to win bad hairdo Thursday at the Green Roof Inn. I mean its going to be close, but number 2 has them by hair.
Florida Girl says
Love me some Joseph Costello. This county has been blessed with his services for, decades. He likes to put a bright red bow on top of his cases. It’s not Joseph’s work that I sweat. It’s the Judges that will let them back out. In my opinion with these three gentlemen being SO young that you have ONE solid shot at rehabilitate and reform. I hope the “system” gets it right for the three of them.
COACH D says
DETECTIVE JOSEPH COSTELLO.
———-FANTASTIC JOB TO YOU AND YOUR FELLOW DEPUTIES !!
palmcoaster says
More than ever before we need to do what our sheriff advises” if we see something say something” to try and keep our still small city safer. Fear of retaliation is conducive to more crime when being a witness to help law enforcement to fight crime successfully is confidential. If we are too lenient and envision some of these activities with just, “well they are just kids” then we will see crime increasing around us. Good work sheriff Staly, thank you!
Alan C Thompson says
That is an Amazing investigation. Great work by Detective Costello and the Real Time Crime Unit. I am always impressed by Law Enforcement getting quick results which minimizes the Public’s losses going forward. Sad to hear about people leaving Guns in Vehicles.
DMFinFlorida says
I applaud the mom who fully cooperated and offered to drive them to jail herself. Obviously they didn’t get their moral compass from her. Poor lady. So often parents take the “not my precious” attitude and are as bad or worse than the criminal arrested.
jOE sTOLFI says
I did not miss that in the article
and believe she would have .
Kudos to the MOM ..
Red White & Blue says
NEVER leave your Gun in your vehicle . ALWAYS have it on you. As far as worrying about DeSantis passing Bill that allows concealed carry without permit…….. I’ve been doing it for 25 years. It’s called… ” CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY “. Neither criminal nor Government needs to know I’m carrying. 2nd Amendment of the Constitution allows me to carry WITHOUT NO DAMN PERMIT.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Their mom appears honest and forthright…
So what happened to the kids? Too much time on their hands, peer pressure, social media, drugs, attitude of entitlement, schools did not prepare them for work, violate video games, degrading and disrespectful music? Or maybe a little of all of this nonsense.
Non says
I just can’t believe that Tammy my apartment manger didn’t tell us about the break in next to my home that could have been my car !
Atwp says
Did it make sense what they did? Of course not. People of color please stay out of trouble. Why not learn how to fix cars instead of breaking into them. Unwise decisions and bad actions put them in trouble and jail. Stay out of trouble. Good job sheriff department.
scarlett mckennon says
first off I should even have to put a comment these men are just little boys that are not matured and just did it for fun they shouldn’t have pressed charges maybe ask fir your things back and just tell their parent but no we had got get the police involved y’all take shit too serious.