Southwest Florida Burger Bandit Busted After Leaving Behind Meal

Charlotte County, FL - A man left behind a Burger King order while fleeing a burglary scene and was later arrested on multiple charges.

On Friday, June 14th, Charlotte County deputies responded to a report of a vehicle break-in at Bay Heights Park.

The victim, along with friends, witnessed someone smashing their car window and discovered a man, later identified as 43-year-old Vladimir Belyshev Jr., inside the vehicle.

Belyshev fled the scene on an electric bike, leaving behind a curious assortment of items: the e-bike itself, a suspicious beverage in a silver cup, a backpack overflowing with clothes, an energy drink, a Bud Light, and the pièce de résistance - a fresh Burger King order boasting three double-bacon cheeseburgers and a chicken sandwich.

Investigators determined Belyshev made a pit stop at the nearby Dearborn Corner Market shortly before the burglary.

Security footage confirmed Belyshev entering the store with the silver cup and purchasing two more Bud Lights and another beverage.

The Burger King, however, had no record of the abandoned feast.

On June 26th, deputies apprehended Belyshev at his workplace.

Facing questioning, Belyshev reportedly confessed not only to the attempted car burglary but also to two additional crimes.

"This may seem like a petty case to some," commented CCSO Sheriff Bill Prummell, "but for the victims whose property was stolen and windows shattered, it's a serious matter. Crime doesn't pay, and now Mr. Belyshev is trading his Burger King crown for a jail cell."

Belyshev is currently being held without bond at the Charlotte County Jail on a multitude of charges, including multiple counts of burglary, criminal mischief, grand theft of a firearm, and violation of probation.