MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has arrested three people in connection to more than 40 vehicle burglaries.
Marion County announced the arrests of 45-year-old Warren Cavagnaro, 42-year-old Kyle Thompson, and 58-year-old Michael Madigan in a Facebook post Thursday morning.
Deputies say the burglaries took place in the Dunnellon, West Marion, and Northwest districts starting on February 1.
The Investigation
MCSO Property Crimes detectives conducted a surveillance operation in the areas of the vehicle burglaries on April 18. During the operation, detectives were notified about four vehicles being burglarized in the 8000 block of NW 121st Ave.
The MCSO aviation unit responded and located Cavagnaro in the area. Detectives say they made contact with him and saw Cavagnaro drop a clear bag of cocaine on the ground.
Deputies say Madigan was located nearby and admitted to driving Cavagnaro and Thompson to the area to break into vehicles.
Following an interview, detectives say Cavagnaro fessed up to breaking into multiple vehicles every night for the past two months and stealing eight firearms out of unlocked vehicles. They say he also admitted that Thompson was with him for a majority of the burglaries.
Cavagnaro was then questioned about an additional 10 burglaries which took place in the On Top of the World retirement community on March 20, 2024. After initially denying responsibility, deputies say during a follow-up interview he admitted he also committed those crimes including stealing a Toyota SUV because he needed a ride home.
Thompson, who is a registered sex offender, was located on April 24 by the MCSO sexual offender and predator unit.
MCSO says Cavagnaro told them he only burglarizing unlocked vehicles and said security cameras were not a deterrent because they lulled people into a false sense of security, which resulted in them leaving their vehicles unlocked with valuables inside.
Cavagnaro’s charges:
- 12 counts of Burglary of a Conveyance
- 12 counts of Theft
- 4 counts of Armed Burglary of a Conveyance
- 2 counts of Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon
- 1 count each of Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle
- 1 count Possession of Cocaine
Madigan’s charges:
- 4 counts of Burglary of a Conveyance
Thompson’s charges:
- 4 counts of Burglary of a Conveyance
- 3 counts of Petit Theft
Detectives are continuing to investigate multiple burglaries and say additional charges could be coming.