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St. Petersburg police: Former pest control worker targeted 12 homes being tented for termites

 
David Cooper, 36, targeted homes being tented for termites to burglarize, according to police.
David Cooper, 36, targeted homes being tented for termites to burglarize, according to police.
Published June 27, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG — A former pest control worker was arrested for burglarizing 12 homes over the last five weeks, according to St. Petersburg police.

David Cooper, 36, was breaking into homes being tented for termites, police said. He has worked in the industry, said St. Petersburg police spokeswoman Yolanda Fernandez.

Investigators said they recovered rifles, a handgun, ammunition, electronics, jewelry, shoes and cash stolen from the homes Cooper broke into.

Officers arrested him Friday, and said they found him carrying a gun. He also had an outstanding warrant for arrest from Hillsborough County for driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Police said he faces 15 charges. But jail records only listed these charges: two counts of dealing in stolen property, armed burglary, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Cooper, of 2848 Emerson Ave. S, was being held Monday in the Pinellas County jail in lieu of $190,500 bail.

Times staff