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Pair accused of stealing from garages

Sheriff's detectives say the two men took items from at least 50 homes around Holiday and Tarpon Springs.

By STEVE THOMPSON
Published November 5, 2005

The detectives could see it all inside as they stood at his front door: wrench sets, power tools, a fishing pole, various other stuff.

The 28-year-old said he did a lot of home repair, and he liked to shop at flea markets.

Probably not, the detectives thought. And anyway, that didn't explain the five sets of golf clubs in his living room and kitchen.

And it didn't explain the hunting bow, which looked quite like one Detective Richard Skala knew was stolen.

"I think he knew it wasn't going to last forever," Skala said Friday.

Skala and Detective Rusty Steele arrested the man, Thomas Cain Tedder, on Thursday, along with a 42-year-old man they say was an accomplice, Ralph Castellano Jr.

The Pasco sheriff's detectives say the pair - sometimes together, sometimes individually - would drive around Holiday and Tarpon Springs looking for open garage doors, and when they found one, would take a minute to help themselves to whatever was inside.

The detectives found about $10,000 worth of stuff in Tedder's home Thursday. They figure he and Castellano hit at least 50 homes during the past seven months or so.

Tedder became a suspect after a witness described him in his girlfriend's gold, 1980s-model Cadillac after a burglary, the detectives say. When they looked up Tedder's pawn history (each week pawn shops give the Sheriff's Office detailed lists of who pawns what) they found it to be about 18 pages long.

Tedder finally admitted to the thefts, the detectives say, and told them he had done it to pay for child support bills and a painkiller addiction. He said he had been working with Castellano, who was arrested a couple of weeks ago on a charge of dealing in stolen property and was out on bail. Now each suspect says the other handled most of the thefts.

"They're both pointing fingers at each other," Steele said.

Tedder and Castellano were being held in the county jail Friday, Tedder in lieu of $25,000 bail, Castellano in lieu of $10,000. Castellano, of 1730 Holiday Drive in Holiday, faces charges of dealing in stolen property. Tedder, of 1833 Pleasure Drive in Holiday, faces charges including burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property. The detectives expect more charges for both.

Authorities have yet to figure out to whom all of the stolen property belongs.

Anybody who has had things stolen from their open garages is invited to call the detectives and give a description of their stolen goods. They can be reached toll-free at 1-800-854-2862. Skala's extension is 7308. Steele's is 7450.

[Last modified November 5, 2005, 01:22:18]