Brian D. Dubien
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
By KEVIN BRADY
An Apollo Beach man is behind bars, ending a year-long crime spree that stretched from Riverview to FishHawk Ranch, according to detectives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Brian D. Dubien, a self-employed electrician, is responsible for at least 18 thefts of tires and rims over the course of almost a year, authorities say. He was arrested Sept. 11 at his Covington Park home, 6656 Clair Shore Drive, Apollo Beach.
The investigation began a year ago when Patrol District 4 detectives noticed a trend of tire and rim thefts in South and Eastern Hillsborough with cases in Panther Trace Subdivision, Rivercrest and FishHawk. These are not your dad’s tire rims. The eye-catching accessories can go for anything from $300 to $1,300.
During their investigation, detectives obtained enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant for Dubien. On Sept. 11, detectives spotted tires and rims in the bed of Dubien’s truck during a surveillance operation. A short time later, Dubien was stopped as he drove away from his residence in the truck.
Examining the truck rims and tires, detectives determined Dubien had stolen them just six hours earlier in Riverview’s Rivercrest subdivision.
Detectives interviewed DuBien and were able to link him to 17 additional tire and rim thefts in the area, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives are still working on identifying any other thefts Dubien may have been involved in and anticipate adding additional felony charges as this investigation moves forward.
Dubien, 47, was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail with no bond.
Dubien faces grand theft, dealing in stolen property and violation of probation for aggravated battery charges.
