Multiple Arrests Made in Theft and Robbery Case

Port Orange, FL - Volusia County Sherriff’s Office has arrested seven people allegedly involved in a theft ring that stole vehicles and property amounting to thousands of dollars from a vacant property.

According to a release from VCSO, detectives received a tip that a stolen Mercedes and RV were spotted in the Daytona Beach area. The vehicles were reportedly stolen from a vacant home in DeLeon Springs. Over a period of weeks the suspects also purportedly took contents from the home.

The stolen Mercedes was recovered early Monday morning in Port Orange. No occupants were inside the vehicle at the time. The RV was stopped on LPGA Blvd on Monday at 1:15 am with three suspects inside. All three were placed under arrest and charged with one count of grand theft auto each.

In the release, VCSO goes on to detail further discoveries made connected to the stolen vehicles.

“Detectives then executed a search warrant Monday at 1374 Taylor St., Daytona Beach, where a second stolen RV belonging to the DeLeon Springs couple, was recovered in the front driveway. A Jeep Wrangler, stolen from less than a mile away and repainted, was found in the back yard. In addition, a 2007 black Ford Mustang, stolen from a Mason Avenue car lot in Daytona Beach, was recovered.”

A search of the home on Taylor Street also turned up stolen property and materials from the vacant DeLeon Springs home – the estimated value of the recovered property is at least $90,000.

“Daren Usher (DOB 04/13/1969) and Nancy Iozzi, (DOB 11/01/1964), a resident of 1374 Taylor St., were arrested during the search. Both were arrested and charged with two counts of grand theft auto (for both stolen RVs) and one count each of grand theft under $20,000,” as detailed in the VCSO release.

Additional persons were arrest as detectives performed a property search.

“Mellissa J. Whitley (DOB 10/12/1989) and her boyfriend Phillip Iozzi (DOB 9/22/1986). Both were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamines and marijuana under 20 grams,” VCSO said.

All seven defendants were taken to the Volusia County Brand Jail, where they remain in custody with bond amounts ranging from $2,000 to no bail allowed. The investigation continues, additional charges and arrests are expected. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.