20-084 Detectives Arrest Dunedin Man for Grand Theft Auto from the Pinellas County Jail

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Arson/Auto Theft Unit

Steven Daniel (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 2/17/1963
Address: 1695 Chaplene Court, Dunedin
Charge: Grand Theft Auto

What:
Detectives have arrested a former Pinellas County Real Estate Management employee for theft of a golf cart from the Pinellas County Jail construction site.

When:
The theft occurred on March 27, 2020 and detectives began their investigation on June 5, 2020.

The suspect was arrested on June 9, 2020.

Where:
The crime occurred at the Pinellas County Jail construction site and the suspect was arrested at the Sheriff’s Office North District Station located at 2496 Bayshore Boulevard.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Arson/Auto Theft Unit have arrested 57-year-old Steven Daniel for Grand Theft Auto from the Pinellas County Jail.

During the jail infrastructure upgrade project, construction company Moss & Associates, LLC purchased a golf cart for use on site. The purchase happened on November 18, 2016 at a cost of $8,225.

Detectives learned when the project was completed, Moss & Associates turned over ownership of the golf cart to Pinellas County Real Estate Management on May 29, 2019. Employee Steven Daniel confirmed receipt of the golf cart to be used for future construction projects.

According to investigators, in March of 2020, Daniel hired a golf cart company to retrieve the cart from the Pinellas County Jail, service it, and deliver it to Daniel’s home in Dunedin. Detectives confirmed Daniel paid for the service with his personal credit card. Two months later, Daniel was confronted by his supervision as to the whereabouts of the cart and he told them Moss & Associates “gave” it to him.

Daniel was asked by his supervision why he took the cart and he said it was an example of, “You scratch my back I’ll scratch yours.” Facing an internal investigation, Daniel resigned on June 2, 2020.

Detectives learned Daniel did not have permission to take the golf cart and confirmed that Moss & Associates did not tell Daniel he could take ownership of it.

On June 9, 2020, detectives interviewed Daniel at the Sheriff’s Office North District Station located at 2496 Bayshore Boulevard in Dunedin.

Daniel admitted to taking the golf cart from the job site to his home, paying for improvements and doing so in violation of county policy.

Daniel was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.