A Sarasota woman has been arrested in connection with multiple early morning break-ins that damaged multiple popular Sarasota businesses earlier this month, authorities said.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that deputies arrested Kara Jane Rose Plocharsky, 31, on one count of burglary tied to the June 4 break-in at 8-Ball Lounge, 3527 Webber Road.
Authorities said detectives identified Plocharsky through surveillance footage and other investigative methods. With assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, she was arrested June 18 in Manatee County.
The sheriff’s office also said Plocharsky was arrested on two Sarasota Police Department warrants related to burglaries reported the same morning at Green Zebra Cafe on St. Armands Circle and The Met in downtown Sarasota.
The arrest follows reporting by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune earlier this month documenting damage at 8-Ball Lounge and Green Zebra Cafe after break-ins that occurred within minutes of one another.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to an active alarm at 8-Ball Lounge shortly before 4 a.m. June 4 and found the front glass door shattered. A K-9 search of the building did not locate a suspect.
Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage that showed a woman wearing a motorcycle helmet break the front entrance and enter the business, according to authorities.
Inside the bar, detectives said the suspect pushed dozens of liquor bottles off the bar, causing thousands of dollars in damage.
At the time of the break-in, 8-Ball Lounge owner Michael Calomeris told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune he estimated total losses at more than $10,000 between repairs, damaged alcohol inventory and lost sales.
“I have no idea why she targeted my bar,” Calomeris previously told the Herald-Tribune.
Green Zebra Cafe at 476 John Ringling Blvd. also sustained damage during a break-in that same morning. Surveillance footage shared with the Herald-Tribune showed a woman wearing a dress and motorcycle helmet breaking glass and entering the business.
“This has been a difficult situation for our team, but more than anger, we feel concern,” Green Zebra Cafe manager Candace Swann previously told the Herald-Tribune. “While we don’t know this individual’s circumstances, we truly hope they receive the support and care they may need.”
Wade Tatangelo is the executive editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida dining and entertainment editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota woman arrested in break-ins at popular businesses
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo and Michaela Galligan, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Wade Tatangelo and Michaela Galligan, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
