Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies have charged Joseph Fuentes, 35, of 638 Royalty Court in Poinciana, with 33 counts of violation of secondary metals recycler/ providing false ownership after obtaining information he sold air conditioning parts he had stolen from residences in Poinciana.

The investigation began May 9 when deputies responded to 632 Royalty Court in Poinciana in reference to a residential burglary. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a witness who stated she saw an unknown male hiding near the air conditioning unit at the house. When he saw the witness, the suspect ran south and jumped a fence.

As deputies were taking the report, the suspect was seen walking near the area. Fuentes was taken into custody without incident and cooperated with deputies. Based on information, he was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, unoccupied burglary and grand theft. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail.

Prior to Fuentes’ arrest, numerous air conditioning units were reported stolen in Poinciana. After he was initially arrested, the Sheriff’s Office reported there was a decrease in residential burglaries where air conditioning units were stolen. Investigators also discovered Fuentes had sold approximately 80 dismantled air conditioning units to a local scrap metal yard.

He is currently in the Osceola County Jail with a $105,000 bond.