A St. Johns County man was arrested this week after deputies said he broke into a vacant home with a BB gun and caused property damage.
Deputies responded around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday to a residence on Shore Drive after reports of suspicious activity.
According to the arrest report, they found the suspect inside the house, which had been vacant since December 2024 and is currently listed for sale.
A BB rifle-style gun was lying next to him when contact was made.
Investigators said the man had shattered a double glass window on a rear door to get inside and they found a shower rod jammed through the busted window.
The homeowner later confirmed that no one had permission to be in the property and estimated the damage at about $1,500.
The suspect was charged with armed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage.
Both raps are felonies.
Deputies noted in their report that after being advised of his charges, the man said, “I was just trying to find a place to sleep.”
He otherwise declined to speak, and the case is pending.
