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Hernando Today

Man Charged With 76 Counts Grand Theft

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By KYLE MARTIN

Published: May 23, 2008

SPRING HILL - Deputies say they have the man responsible for destroying 76 air-conditioning units to steal the copper inside.

The thefts were spread out over nearly a month, beginning April 30, but it wasn't until Wednesday that detectives were tipped off about their suspect, Paul Stridiron.

Stridiron was linked to numerous sales of air conditioner parts to recyclers and junkyards in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, according to the sheriff's office.

On Thursday night, plainclothes deputies reportedly caught their suspect in the act at the airport.

After watching Stridiron dismantle a condenser behind 15402 Aviation Loop and load the coil in his car, the deputies followed him home to 4375 Azora Road, a report shows.

Stridiron, 36, was charged with loitering, possession of burglary tools, grand theft and resisting arrest in connection with Thursday night's theft.

But on Friday, Stridiron was taken for a "show and tell" around Spring Hill, and he reportedly confessed to stealing from 21 businesses.

He received a count of grand theft for each air conditioner broken into, and most businesses had more than one unit. Seven Hills plaza, for example, earned Stridiron 10 counts of grand theft.

Below are the sites where Paul Stridiron reportedly dismantled air conditioners to steal the copper inside. Source: Hernando County Sheriff's Office

4/30/08 - Creative Poly Designs, 10453 Tillery Road, three counts.

4/30/08 -14045, Suncoast Tile, 4119 Lamson Ave., one count.

4/30/08- Wells Fargo Mortgage, 236 Mariner Blvd., two counts.

5/02/08- Seven Hills Plaza, 1222 Mariner Blvd., 10 counts.

5/03/08- Floor World, 392 Beverly Ct., three counts.

5/03/08- Winchester Plaza, 5114 Commercial Way, three counts.

5/03/08- Floors R Us, 4200 Commercial Way, two counts.

5/03/08- Turner Funeral Home, 5111 Commercial Way, five counts.

5/05/08- Accent Carpet and Tile, 5165 Commercial Way, one count.

5/04/08- Polynesian Plaza, 1284 Lori Drive, eight counts.

5/06/08- Sand Hill Office Park, 8344 Forest Oaks Blvd., four counts.

5/06/07- Sand Hill Office Park, 8352 Forest Oaks Blvd., two counts.

5/06/08- Sand Hill Office Park, 8356 Forest Oaks Blvd., two counts.

5/11/08- Day Law Office, 4108 Deltona Blvd., one count.

5/11/08- Village Pizza, 4070 Deltona Blvd., six counts.

5/13/08- Dr. Medler's Office, 10448 Northcliff Blvd., two counts.

5/16/08- Commercial Duplex, 4267 Azora Road, one count.

5/21/08- Lakeside Dental, 8454 Northcliff Blvd., one count.

5/21/08- Hernando Builder's Association, 7391 Sunshine Grove Road, two counts.

5/16/08-Herald Square, 12450 Springhill Drive, four counts.

5/16/08- Gramercy Park, 13800 Linden Drive, two counts.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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