> He's back: Clearwater Beach bag thief returns to area after being told to stay away, police say
He's back: Clearwater Beach bag thief returns to area after being told to stay away, police say
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Description
A Clearwater Beach thief suspect is doubling down on his efforts after being caught returning to the area after being told not to, police say.
On Wednesday, Clearwater police announced that 44-year-old Damien Klaben was found at the beach and arrested "yet again" by an alert officer.
"Remember our beach blanket theft suspect from last week who pilfered people's valuables two days in a row?" Clearwater police rhetorically asked on Facebook.
Authorities first asked for the public's help to find Klaben, accusing him of stealing $1,350 combined from three bags he took while at the beach a week prior.
The following day, Clearwater P.D. said multiple officers "swarmed" the area and found him near Pier 60 and arrested him after he allegedly got caught stealing more items from people's bags left unattended.
Klaben was taken to the Pinellas County Jail but was released on his own recognizance on the condition that he stay away from the Clearwater Beach area.
"Not so much," Clearwater P.D. wrote on social media.
Klaben is now charged with violation of pretrial release.