Brevard Sheriff’s Agents Bust Burglary and Theft Suspect Hiding Like Baby Inside Box Spring Mattress

By  //  March 2, 2020

James Lupis’ arrest was result of a criminal investigation that began in late January 2020

SHERIFF WAYNE IVEY: Agents with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office North Precinct General Crimes Unit arrested 30-year-old James Lupis, of Cocoa, on two counts of Burglary to an Unoccupied Structure, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, False Verification of Ownership, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and Petit Theft. (BCSO image)

After fighting Deputies, the suspect was “stuffed and cuffed” and hauled off to the Brevard County Jail where he was held on a bond of $81,500.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Agents with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office North Precinct General Crimes Unit arrested 30-year-old James Lupis, of Cocoa, on two counts of Burglary to an Unoccupied Structure, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, False Verification of Ownership, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and Petit Theft.

Lupis’ arrest was the result of a criminal investigation that began in late January 2020, when Lupis stole a victim’s credit card and made numerous unauthorized charges.

Pursuant to the initial investigation, Lupis began to burglarize numerous businesses in the North Cocoa area while also pawning the stolen items at local pawnshops and metal scrap yards throughout Brevard County.

During one of the business burglaries, one of our Deputies confronted Lupis who fought the Deputy and eventually was able to avoid apprehension.

On February 24, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit located Lupis at an address in Cocoa at which time he refused to exit the residence.

After a brief standoff, our Fugitive Agents gained entry into the house and found Lupis hiding like a baby inside the box springs of a mattress.


“After a brief standoff, our Fugitive Agents gained entry into the house and found Lupis hiding like a baby inside the box springs of a mattress.”


Lupis again resisted arrest by fighting the Deputies but this time got what he deserved for fighting one of our Deputies as he got stuffed and cuffed and hauled off to the Brevard County Jail where he was held on a bond of $81,500.

While the investigation into Lupis’ actions is still ongoing pending the identification of additional victims, one thing is clear if you fight one of our Deputies as you are trying to avoid arrest you will regret your actions, and I do mean regret them as you end up at the Brevard County Jail.

Another great job by our Agents and Fugitive Unit as they work together to take bad people off our streets.

If anyone has any further information on this case or similar incidents, please contact Agent Jeremy Benton or Agent Jaime McGowan, with our North Precinct General Crimes Unit at 321-264-5210.

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

“Lupis’ arrest was the result of a criminal investigation that began in late January 2020, when Lupis stole a victim’s credit card and made numerous unauthorized charges,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
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