03/23/2021
Media Release
City of San Antonio Employee Crashes Work Truck Containing Stolen Items
Date: March 23, 2021
On 03-21-2021 at 10:26 p.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on the 11000 block of Elgin Boulevard in reference to the report of a conveyance burglary and a petit theft.
The victim reported he was inside of his home when he heard a knock at the front door.
Upon answering the door, the homeowner observed an unknown white male, later identified as Israel Huron DOB/09-15-1978, who stated to the victim, “I’m here for you.” The victim advised Huron he must be mistaken. Huron acknowledged the mistake and walked away from the residence.
The victim observed Huron getting into a white work truck with an unknown symbol on the side.
Huron proceeded to drive away.
The victim quickly noticed two grills located next to his garage were missing. The victim then checked inside of his vehicle and found two packs of ci******es and a lighter were missing.
About an hour following the incident, deputies received a report of a traffic crash on Emerson Road involving a white work truck that had hit a tree and partially overturned.
The truck was registered to the City of San Antonio in Pasco County. Deputies observed two barbecue grills off to the side of the road. The deputy also observed two packs of ci******es inside the work truck. The victim positively identified the two grills and the two packs of ci******es as items taken from his property.
The driver of the work truck was identified as Israel Huron. Huron is an employee of the City of San Antonio.
Huron, who appeared intoxicated, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Upon questioning, Huron advised he was driving to San Antonio to respond to an emergency call from work when the crash occurred. Huron said he lost control of his work truck as he was maneuvering around a curve in the road.
Huron advised he found the grills by the side of the road and believed they were junk. Huron said he planned to take the grills to the city shop because he thought the workers would use them. Huron denied entering the victim’s vehicle.
Detectives then asked Huron if his fingerprints would be found on the victim’s vehicle. Huron changed his statement advising his fingerprints would likely be found on the vehicle due to him retrieving the two grills, which were near the vehicle.
Huron further advised he had been drinking prior to responding to the emergency call from work.
Huron was charged with Conveyance Burglary, Petit Theft and Driving Under the Influence.
He was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center where his bond was set at $7,000.
The Office of Sheriff:
The Office of the Sheriff is established by the Florida Constitution. As a constitutional officer, the Sheriff has the exclusive authority to administer his or her agency and is responsible for preserving the peace throughout the entire county, carrying out the laws of the state, the orders of Florida courts, and the ordinances of the Board of County Commissioners. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement and correctional officer of the county.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis was initially appointed as the Sheriff of Hernando County by the Governor in January of 2011. He was then elected by the people of Hernando County in 2012, ran unopposed in 2016, and was re-elected in 2020. Sheriff Nienhuis remains accountable to the people of Hernando County.