St. Petersburg police say additional victims may not know property is missing from storm-damaged homes left unoccupied.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A 51-year-old man remains in custody after being charged with burglarizing an unoccupied home in St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood, where police believe additional theft victims may not yet realize their property is missing.

Daniel Lombardi was arrested about 11:45 a.m. Friday on Ohio Avenue Northeast, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. 



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Lombardi is charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and possession of burglary tools. Officers said he was arrested after allegedly removing an air compressor from a home on the street. A/C units have valuable metals inside, like copper, that can be removed and sold.

Detectives said they are concerned there could be additional victims in the Shore Acres neighborhood, particularly because several homes remain vacant following storm damage sustained in 2024. Investigators said some homeowners may not yet be aware that property has been stolen.

Neighbors told 10 Tampa Bay News the neighborhood is typically quiet and that they were surprised to learn of the alleged burglary.

The Shore Acres Civic Association said concerns about air conditioning condenser thefts have been brought to its attention over the past several weeks. 

“On behalf of the Shore Acres residents, I want to thank the St. Petersburg Police Department and everyone involved for their work in identifying and arresting the individual accused of stealing air conditioning condensers throughout our neighborhood,” Whitney McCormick, president of the Shore Acres Civic Association wrote in a recent statement to 10 Tampa Bay News.

“These thefts have affected families who have already endured significant challenges rebuilding after the 2024 hurricanes. Having an air conditioning unit or condenser stolen is more than a property crime; it creates financial hardship, disrupts recovery efforts, and leaves residents feeling vulnerable in their own homes,” McCormick added.

Lombardi is still in custody as the investigation remains ongoing.