A 34-year-old Citrus Springs man is facing numerous felony charges in connection with a string of burglaries that occurred last month in Marion County.
Throughout November 2023, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to several reports of burglaries in the Marion Oaks district. On November 21, deputies responded to another report of a burglary at a home that was under construction in the 6300 block of SW 153rd Lane Road, according to a media release from MCSO.
When deputies arrived at the home, they discovered that a dishwasher and range had been stolen from it. In addition, MCSO stated that the floor was damaged when the appliances were dragged from the home.
According to the sheriff’s office, video surveillance footage at the site managed to capture images of a potential male suspect and his vehicle. The suspect was later identified as Michael Dale Campfield.
A week later, on Tuesday, November 28, multiple detectives conducted a surveillance operation in the areas where the burglaries had occurred. Within the first 15 minutes of this operation, one of the detectives spotted the vehicle that had been captured on the surveillance footage at the construction site, according to MCSO.
A traffic stop of the vehicle was conducted near the intersection of SW 60th Circle and Marion Oaks Manor. The detective made contact with Campfield, who was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, and the sheriff’s office stated that he matched the description of the burglary suspect.
During the traffic stop, Campfield was shown photos from the surveillance footage that was captured on November 21, and he admitted that he was the person depicted in the images, according to MCSO.
Investigators also learned that Campfield had allegedly committed 11 separate burglaries in November. During those incidents, he allegedly stole several Frigidaire and Whirlpool ranges, later selling them for $250 or $300 to an unidentified man.
MCSO stated that a tire iron was located during a search of Campfield’s vehicle. Additionally, cocaine, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia were also allegedly found in his possession.
Campfield was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on $142,000 bond. He is facing more than 30 felony charges that include burglary of a dwelling, grand theft, criminal mischief, dealing in stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, along with several misdemeanor charges.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, according to jail records.