Daytona mother suspected in 40 burglaries, including Spruce Creek Fly-In

Lyudmila Prilutskaya

DAYTONA BEACH — A mother often drove her teenage son and some of his friends through high-end neighborhoods and the Daytona Flea and Farmer’s Market so that the youths could steal from cars and merchants’ booths, according to sheriff’s officials. 

The woman’s son, 15-year-old Georgiy Andriyenko, told investigators that he and his mother, Lyudmila Prilutskaya, 52, targeted the Spruce Creek Fly-In for example, because it’s “an upscale neighborhood with more valuable stuff to steal.”

Mother and son and their associates are suspected in up to 40 burglaries in Daytona Beach, Port Orange and Ormond Beach over the last month, said Gary Davidson, Volusia County sheriff’s spokesman. The crew stole cash, electronics, wallets, smoking devices and anything else they deemed valuable, Davidson said.

Witnesses have told investigators that Prilutskaya approved or disapproved of the items that were stolen, deciding which ones would be kept based on the property’s value, Davidson said.

But a broken down getaway car did them in.

On Nov. 9, they went to the flea market on Tomoka Farms Road and stole 14 bongs valued at $3,000 from a business called Island Mystique, Davidson said. A security guard caught one of the youngsters from the group and recovered four bongs, Davidson said. The guard let the boy go and when he and the others tried to bolt from the flea market, the car Prilutskaya was driving them in would not start, Davidson said.

Prilutskaya then called someone who agreed to pick up the group. The tag on the abandoned vehicle was traced to Prilutskaya’s residence on St. Augustine Road in Daytona Beach and investigators spoke to both suspects, Davidson said.

Then on Nov. 30, again at the Fly-In, two cars were broken into in a garage and a camera and two iPads were taken, Davidson said. Port Orange arrested Andriyenko the following day and recovered stolen property at his home, Davidson said.

On Thursday, sheriff’s investigators, as well as detectives with the other three agencies obtained search warrants for the house shared by mother and son, Davidson said. The investigators uncovered more stolen goods and the pair were arrested.

Prilutskaya is charged with three counts of burglary, grand theft, child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her son is charged with three counts of burglary, two counts of grand theft and one count of dealing in stolen property.

Sheriff’s officials say there have been several other burglaries at the flea market not connected to the mother and son.

Arnold Zazulia, owner of Atlantic Tools & More, was surprised to learn something was taken from his shop in the early morning hours Thursday.

It turned out the group of crooks took a hammer from his shop and used it to burglarize the other businesses, Zazulia said.

Dan Hamblen, who manages E-Cigs Best Smokers, said the burglaries have affected business.

“I had people asking for stuff that I didn’t have because it was taken,” Hamblen said Friday. “I have to take home all my stuff in a duffle bag now. I shouldn’t have to do that.”

Flea market management did not return a call Friday for comment.

Steven Savoca, owner of Stronghold Military Exchange, said most businesses are vulnerable as they only cover their booths with a tarp when they leave.

He and other business owners said they worry about the lack of security at the flea market.

“I’m not impressed,” Savoca said. “If I come in one day and all my stuff’s gone, then I’ll shut down.”

Source:  http://www.news-journalonline.com