An Islamorada man was arrested on a warrant Monday, after he reportedly admitted to stealing a neighbor’s boat grill.
Jason Alexander Katsikas, 42, was charged with burglary and petit theft.
On March 27, a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a home in Islamorada after the victim reported a burglary. According to the report, the victim stated his boat grill had been stolen from his home on March 20, while he was away on vacation. Upon returning and noticing the missing grill, the victim obtained surveillance footage that showed a man, later identified as Katsikas, walking onto the property and leaving with the grill.
The victim stated that he had tried to sell the grill at a yard sale, and Katsikas had been interested in it, but the two couldn’t agree on a price. Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage, confirmed the truck used in the burglary appeared to be that of the suspect, and then met with Katsikas.
While being interviewed, Katsikas reiterated the same story as the victim, specifically that the two couldn’t come to an agreement on a price for the grill. When shown a still photo of himself leaving the victim’s property with the grill, Katsikas reportedly stated he didn’t know if he should answer any more questions without an attorney. He then asked to leave, stating he had to go to work, but said he would come back on Monday. Detectives agreed, and Katsikas went to leave.
However, according to the report, Katsikas spontaneously told detectives that he stole the grill that night. He added he stole it because he had been drinking, and he said he was upset that the victim had refused to sell him the grill.
Katsikas was arrested and transported to the Plantation Key jail, but was released the same day after posting a $8,500 bond.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
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