A suspect has been detained in the theft of solar panels from Eastport in The Villages.
Green Scene Land and Water Group, which services The Villages, reported the theft of solar panels in and around the new Eastport Town Center, according to a Wildwood Police Department arrest report.
The manager of Green Scene informed the police about the theft of numerous solar-powered irrigation components from various job sites in recent weeks. According to the manager, the most recent theft took place between 4:30 and 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Camera surveillance captured the theft, revealing a blue 1997 truck on the tape. The camera system also picked up the truck’s registration plate. The manager reported seeing the truck near Corbin Trail and Craig Court.
An officer went to the site with the Green Scene manager and discovered a stolen solar panel, power converter, and deep-cycle battery. The officers discovered the stolen items in the truck’s bed.
We identified the truck’s owner as 65-year-old Mikel Frank Gilmartin of Tavares, who stated his intention to pawn the items for cash. He said he was “financially struggling and living out of his truck.” A criminal history check found that he has a prior theft conviction in Georgia.
He was arrested for several crimes, including theft. He was detained without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center.