DCSO: Five charged in Toys for Tots theft

ARCADIA — After months of investigation, five people have been arrested in connection to the theft of donated toys in October.

The DeSoto County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests in a social media post Tuesday.

"We are thrilled to share thanks to the diligent efforts of #TeamDCSO and surrounding law enforcement agencies, several individuals involved have been arrested and have taken responsibility for their actions," the post stated.

Authorities also noted they were seeking the public's help in searching for one last suspect on the list.

Ashley Marie Downs, 32; Eric Charles Downs, 30; and Courtney Chyenne Sumner, 22, all of Cape Coral, were identified as suspects arrested Tuesday.

Two other suspects — Lilian Kullen and Timothy Kilgo — were also listed among those arrested, but information for them was not available on the DCSO website as of Wednesday morning.

All five are alleged to have been connected to a burglary at the former Brownville School on U.S. 17 last fall. The building was housing a collection of donated toys organized by DCSO and other county agencies.

DCSO estimated the total cost of the stolen toys to be roughly $2,500.

All five were noted by authorities to have either "been arrested or turned themselves in."

They have each been charged with one count of burglary and one count of criminal mischief.

DCSO also shared the name of a remaining suspect with the public: Serenity Cheyanne Shipley.

Anyone with information about Shipley's whereabouts is asked to call the DCSO non-emergency phone line at 863-993-4700.

Both Downs and Sumner are scheduled to appear in DeSoto County court May 20.