Pawned GPS device key to identifying suspect in Port St. Lucie vehicle burglaries

PORT ST. LUCIE — A 22-year-old man was arrested Monday after police linked him to a stolen GPS device through a pawn database search, according to an affidavit released Tuesday.

Alexander Gambo, of the 100 block of Southwest Palm Drive in Port St. Lucie, was arrested on charges including burglary to an unoccupied conveyance, providing false information to a pawnbroker, dealing in stolen property and petit theft.

The case began June 28 as Port St. Lucie police discovered three vehicle burglaries in the area of Southwest Duxbury Avenue. A woman in Southwest Duxbury Avenue's 300 block told investigators she was missing a GPS device and $3 from her Toyota Prius.

Using a pawn database, police on Monday found a GPS with the same serial number as the stolen one that had been pawned within five hours of the burglary.

Gambo was identified as having pawned the device.

Gambo told police he got the GPS from a friend who asked whether he could pawn it. Gambo said he received $30 and gave it to his friend.

He said his friend gave him $15 from the proceeds.