FLORAL CITY, Fla. – Two 18-year-olds were arrested Friday morning, March 6, after what officials say began as a vandalism investigation at the Floral City Strawberry Festival but quickly escalated into much more. Deputies from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office responded to Floral Park early on March 6 after reports of possible burglary activity near the festival grounds.
Upon arrival, deputies met with the event coordinator, who showed them an extensive list of stolen items and damage to festival property. The teens, whose names were not released, were taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of burglary, theft, and vandalism. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities believe the suspects may have been involved in other crimes in the area.
The Floral City Strawberry Festival is a popular annual event in Citrus County, attracting visitors from across the region. The festival features live music, food vendors, and activities for all ages. This year’s event was scheduled to take place from March 6-7 at 1000 South Pine Avenue, Floral City, Florida 34471.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the incident or other crimes in the area to come forward. Residents can report tips anonymously by calling the sheriff’s office at (352) 749-3111 or submitting a tip online at https://www.citruscountysheriff.com/tips. More information about the festival can be found at https://www.floralcitystrawberryfestival.com. Additional resources for local crime information can be found through the Florida State Police.
Originally reported by R News
Sources: R News
