News Room

On Friday, March 5, 2010, Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two Columbia County men on a host of charges stemming from a car burglary.

At approximately 5:40 A.M., a watchful and concerned citizen notified a neighbor that someone was breaking into their vehicle at 269 S.W. Kimdale Loop. The homeowners discovered a male subject inside their vehicle and locked him inside until Deputies could arrive. Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy Sheriff Sean Sikes and Keith Spradley found Travis Neeley still inside the vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident. As deputies were investigating the crime scene, a vehicle believed to be driven by another suspect drove by the home. Deputy Spradley attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the car.

The driver fled from Deputy Spradley, turning off the vehicle’s headlights. Deputy Spradley last observed the suspect’s vehicle at the intersection of Wingate Rd and Ziegler Drive. A quick search of the area resulted in the suspect vehicle being found in a wooded lot near the intersection. The vehicle was unoccupied. Two K-9 units from the Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene along with additional patrol units. After a lengthy ground search, the K-9’s were unable to locate the suspect.

Deputy Sheriff’s Spradley, Winston Warner and Sgt Stacy Croft began a search of various residences where the suspect, Peter Anthony Scandizzo, was known to stay. Mr. Scandizzo was located in his mother’s home at 665 S.W. Butzer Rd. Mr. Scandizzo was taken into custody without incident at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The success and quick closure of this case was the result of concerned neighbors and CCSO Deputies familiarity with the people and area of their assigned patrol zones.