$200,000 Recovered from Residential Burglary

Two Lutz residents face a number of criminal charges following a June 18 residential burglary in Tampa that Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Detectives have since connected them to.

According to a media release, James Edward Wiggins, 28, and Elizabeth Woodcock, 24, both of 17780 Swordfish Drive A, were charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and grand theft.

The incident that led to the arrest occurred around 3:30 p.m. June 18 when detectives say the two entered a home and took $150,000 in cash, 62 1-ounce gold coins, jewelry and electronics from the home. The total value of the property was nearly $250,000, the release said.

Wiggins, the victims' nephew, was later identified as a suspect. After detectives spoke with him, he is said to have admitted to taking the property. He showed detectives where the money and coins were hidden.

During an interview with detectives, both Wiggins and Woodcock said they threw the jewelry out of their car so they couldn’t be caught with items that connected them to the burglary, the release said. The stolen items were found on June 22 in the area of Bearss Avenue and Lake Magdalene Boulevard.

Detectives were able to recover $142,853.00 in cash and 22 of the 1-ounce gold coins valued at $35,000.00.  

Woodcock and Wiggins said they did spend some of the money on cell phones, gambling and clothing.