Facebook post leads police to suspect in Vero Beach burglary

VERO BEACH — Indian River Sheriff's Office deputies received help from social media to nab a burglary suspect.

Deputies on Tuesday charged Alix Norris, 21, of the 2500 block of 2nd Street Southwest with burglary, grand theft and fraudulent use of credit card after seeing pictures of his stolen loot on Facebook, the arrest report states.

The incident began with a 2 p.m. Oct. 30 burglary call in the 800 block of 26th Avenue, where homeowners reported missing a 19-inch flat screen TV, a DVD player, a pair of white Oakley sunglasses and a PlayStation 3.

About a week later, the victims noticed a Facebook friend, who was later identified as Norris' mother, selling the sunglasses. Deputies talked with Norris' mother, who said she suspected the sunglasses were stolen when her son told her to sell them. A friend of the mother provided proof Norris made a $200 cash advance from her credit card.

Norris told deputies the burglary occurred because other suspects involved recently had stayed in the home and knew where the valuables were located, the report states. Also, Norris said he took the money from the credit card but planned to repay the amount, the report states.

Norris is being held at the Indian River County Jail on $23,000 bail.