(St. Petersburg, Fla. - 970 WFLA) St. Petersberg police say that early this morning a woman reported a man had broken into her house in the area of 21st Avenue South and 7th Street. She told officers she was asleep on her couch and awoke to a man wearing Sponge Bob clothing standing over her. The man ran from the house as the woman called police.
Then officers spotted a man near 22nd Avenue South and 5th Street looking through the window of a home where a woman was getting dressed for work. As officers arrived in the area, the man ran and was chased by officers to the yard of 511 25th Avenue South. The man attempted to hide in a trash can to avoid arrest. He was located by officers and arrested.
The man in both incidents has been identified as 32 year old Steven Charles Kirkland, of 2000 3rd Avenue North. He's been charged with Occupied Residential Burglary, Loitering & Prowling, Trespassing, and Unoccupied Residential Burglary.
Police say Kirkland was also wanted for two counts of Lewd & Lascivious Molestation on a Child under the Age of 12 from January 22, 2017. The two children did not know Kirkland prior to the incident. In addition, Kirkland is facing possible misdemeanor Indecent Exposure charges from an incident also occurring on January 22, 2017, at Bay Vista Park.
Detectives believe there could be more victims. If anyone has any information, please contact the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Photo from the St Petersburg Police Department