On Tuesday, April 30, at about 11:35 a.m., members of the Boca Raton Police Department’s Tactical Team were patrolling the area of the BP gas station, 5440 West Glades Road, when they saw a Jeep Compass drive through several different parking lots. The driver of the Jeep, later identified as John Thomas, backed into a parking space and after about 20 seconds, left and drove to the BP. After several minutes they left the BP.
As officers followed the vehicle, they observed several traffic violations and stopped the vehicle. While speaking with Thomas, and passengers Sam Webb and Jamel Hughes, officers smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Officers searched all three and located a baggie of marijuana in Webb’s pants and multiple driver’s licenses and debit cards belonging to four different people in Hughes’ shoe. When officers searched the Jeep, they found a window punch and broken auto glass.
All three suspects told officers they had left Ft. Lauderdale about 10:00 a.m. and drove to Boca Raton, but had no planned destination. Webb admitted the marijuana was for personal use. Hughes said he had no idea why the driver’s licenses and debit cards were in his shoe. Officers spoke to the people whose identification they found and were told that the items were stolen during various auto burglaries that occurred in North Port, Jupiter, and Palmetto.
Officers arrested all three and charged them with loitering and prowling. Thomas was also charged with possession of burglary tools, theft and driving on a suspended license. Webb was charged with possession of marijuana. Hughes was also charged with theft and violation of probation.