Three teenaged car burglary suspects who have been "flipping handles" in the Jan Phyl Village area of Winter Haven had their 10-day crime spree interrupted by PCSO deputies on September 29, 2025.

On September 18, 2025, deputies responded to Timberline Road West to a reported car burglary from the night before, during which cash and money orders from the victim's wallet were stolen from within her unlocked vehicle. Video surveillance from homes in the area captured a black male suspect wearing all black clothing, white slides, white gloves, and carrying a black backpack with a Nike logo, flipping handles on car doors.

The video was posted to PCSO social media in an attempt to identify the suspect: CRIME STOPPERS: Winter Haven vehicle burglary

On September 28th, a 9mm Ruger P95 handgun and some cash was stolen from an unlocked car on Timberline Road East. The following morning, the victim contacted PCSO and deputies responded. Video surveillance in that area revealed two suspects flipping handles on car doors. Two more vehicle burglaries were reported the same day from Harmon Lane nearby, and additional video footage was obtained showing the same suspects, carrying the Nike backpack from the September 18th investigation. A $400 remote control was stolen from one of the cars on Harmon Lane.

Around 6:30 p.m. on September 29th, the PCSO received information that the suspects possibly lived on Saint Paul Drive and were using a white Nissan Altima to drive to and away from the crime scenes. The suspects were seen placing a white backpack in front of a car parked in a parking lot on Saint Paul Drive.

Deputies located the white backpack and found the stolen firearm from Timberline Road East. They then made contact with Deandre Parker, 17, and Christopher Lester, 16, at which time Deandre (who lives on Saint Paul Drive) admitted that the bag was his, that he was aware of the stolen gun inside, and that he was told to hide it. Lester (who lives in Fort Meade) was shown the video from Harmon Lane, and admitted he was in the video, then identified the suspect wearing the Nike backpack as 14-year-old Caiden Cooper (who lives on Saint Paul Drive) and that they both were there breaking into cars the evening of September 28th, during which they stole the handgun.

Deputies responded to Cooper's home, where they found the Nike backpack and the white slides worn by Cooper during the burglaries. He refused to speak with deputies. All of the teens' parents, however, cooperated fully with the investigation.

"Teens out at night flipping car handles only means one thing - crimes of opportunity. Please stop leaving your firearms in your vehicles, and please lock your car doors. We're thrilled we got this stolen gun off the streets, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation during this investigation." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

Cooper (who just turned 14 on September 19th) is charged with:

• Armed burglary (F1)
• Grand theft of a firearm (F3)
• 3 counts vehicle burglary (F3)
• 3 counts petit theft (M1)
• 3 counts conspiracy to commit vehicle burglary (F3)
• VOP (M2)

Cooper is on probation for grand theft, burglary, and criminal mischief.

Lester is charged with:

• Armed burglary (F1)
• Grand theft of a firearm (F3)
• 2 counts vehicle burglary (F3)
• 2 counts petit theft (M1)
• 3 counts conspiracy to commit vehicle burglary (F3)

Parker is charged with:

• Grand theft of a firearm (F3)
• Tampering with evidence (F3)

Parker has a prior arrest for criminal mischief.