SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — A Wildwood woman and an Ocala man were arrested Friday in connection with the theft of two Yamaha side-by-side vehicles and power tools valued at nearly $24,000, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies began investigating the case on January 26 after responding to a reported theft in Sumterville. The victim told authorities that two red Yamaha U-Max side-by-sides had been stolen from a storage shed on her property. Each vehicle was valued at $11,685.
Also reported stolen were a Milwaukee hammer drill and a Milwaukee drill, each valued at $200, bringing the total reported loss to $23,770, according to an arrest report.
The stolen serial numbers were entered into law enforcement databases. The property was not located until last week during a separate investigation at a residence on West Clarke Street in Wildwood, where deputies observed multiple golf carts along with the two missing side-by-sides. While another individual was initially charged in that matter, 30-year-old Elizabeth Ann Anklam and 27-year-old Christopher Ryan Holmes were present at the scene.
Authorities obtained a search warrant, and on February 5, deputies recovered the stolen vehicles and tools. One of the Yamaha side-by-sides had been spray-painted silver, causing approximately $600 in damage, investigators said.
Anklam and Holmes were arrested Friday afternoon and charged with:
Grand theft
Criminal mischief
Burglary of an unoccupied structure (unarmed)
Both were transported to the Sumter County Detention Center.
Anklam is being held on a $15,000 bond and also has a hold out of Bay County. Holmes is being held on an $11,000 bond.
The case remains under investigation.
