Break-In Follow Up Has Bizarre Twist

Mug shot of Lifeso Burlary suspect John Stanislav Mehne

One suspect is in jail after wrecking a stolen car, and leading New York State police on a lengthy manhunt following a break-in at Bob and Sue Lifeso's home, 150-Morningside Drive, reported Tuesday, June 4th.  

25-year old John Stanislav Mehne was captured hiding naked in a chicken coup Tuesday evening in Broome County, New York.  Mehne, a former Ringling College of Art and Design student, is suspected of stealing the Lifeso's 2016 Audi A5 coupe sometime last weekend, and driving the car to Kirkwood, New York, about an hour south of Ithica, NY, where he has family.

A second suspect, who stole the Lifeso's other car, a red Tesla, has yet to be found. Both cars had been parked in the Lifeso's garage. Sarasota Police say there were no signs of forced entry and nothing else appears to have been taken.

The car thieves were apparently in no hurry. Empty soda cans and potato chip wrappers were found scattered on the floor.

Mehle apparently drove the Lifeso's Audi from Sarasota to rural New York state. He was eventually caught after a collision on Highway 81 near Kirkwood, NY.  He fled the scene, jumping first into a passing van, then eventually riding in the back of a pickup truck to a wooded area a couple of miles from the accident scene.

John Mehle picture from Facebook 

A full-scale manhunt ensued. Mehne stole an ATV, leading police on a chase through the woods. He burglarized another home, killed a family dog and  threatened a homeowner with an ax.

Mehle eventually took off his clothes in an apparent attempt to mislead K-9 unit dogs used to track him. He was finally found Tuesday evening hiding naked in a chicken coup.  Police described him as "very erratic." He's not talking, and requested an attorney.

Mehle sits in jail, facing an array of charges in New York, including burglary, robbery, possession of stolen property and aggravated cruelty to animals.

Mehle has a previous record in Sarasota. He was arrested in March of this year on another burglary charge, and was out on bail. He listed his address as a Sarasota homeless shelter. On his Facebook page, Mehle says he's been a student in Computer Animation at the Ringling College of Art and Design since 2016. He posted that he quit the College in April of this year.

Still photo from security camera in Kirkland, NY
of Mehle approaching a house he burglarized

I spoke with Sarasota Detective Amanda Cox who is handling the case. Detective Cox says several finger prints and DNA samples were taken at the scene.

She canvased Morningside Drive neighbors in Lido Shores on Thursday in hopes finding out if any security camera video exists or if anyone saw anything else that might be of help in the investigation.

~BT
bthill@icloud.com

Additional reporting provided by Katie Best.