Man coerced child to steal fishing rods in Florida

A man in Florida has been arrested for allegedly using a child to steal fishing rods worth thousands of dollars. The suspect, 42-year-old Mark Stelzer, is accused of forcing his girlfriend’s minor son to commit these thefts. Residents in the community of Englewood reported several thefts, with at least four victims targeted. One victim, Tim Hermus, shared how the theft impacted his livelihood. He said, "I need my rods, and I've been through a lot with the flood from the hurricane." His fishing rods, taken from his boat, are valued at around $2,000, and he has not yet recovered them. Sheriff's deputies found security footage showing the child riding a bike and stealing Hermus’s fishing rods. A search warrant at Stelzer's North Port home revealed over $6,500 worth of stolen fishing rods, which had been painted to hide their identity. Stelzer faces multiple charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, burglary, and grand theft. He was taken into custody and booked into the Charlotte County Jail on Friday.