Staff report

WALDO, Fla. – Brittany Jo-Lee Helton, 34, of Waldo, was arrested early this morning and charged with burglary and property damage after the owner of the house reported that Helton had broken in and was sleeping in an upstairs bedroom.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the house in the 13600 block of NE 148th Terrace at about 11:23 p.m. on Friday night, where witnesses reportedly said that Helton had broken into a house and was sleeping upstairs; Helton’s listed address is on the same street as the house that was burglarized.

The deputy reported that glass had been broken out of a door, indicating that entry had been forced, and after announcements were made at the front door, the deputy reported that Helton came out of a room on the second floor.

At the property owner’s request, the deputy reportedly cleared the building and found a hammer and a flat pry-bar in the upstairs bedroom where Helton had been. The damage to the door was estimated at about $150.

Post Miranda, Helton reportedly did not want to speak with the deputy.

Helton has two felony convictions (none violent) and four misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge William Davis set bail at $25,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.