Clearwater Beach Thieves Nabbed, Police Say

A 24-year-old man and two teenage girls face charges in connection to recent thefts on Clearwater Beach.

Ahmet Erdine Atansay is being held in the Pinellas County Jail on grand theft
charges. Two teenage girls, ages 14 and 17, also face charges.

The case involves an Aug. 9 incident near the Palm Pavilion. The three are accused of stealing a bag that contained a set of car keys, a Kindle Touch, an iPhone 4, a pair of sunglasses, credit cards and $100 in cash.

Atansay and the older juvenile were charged with grand theft. The 14-year-old faced three additional charges of fraudulent use of a credit card, after she used the victim's credit card, police say.

The victim was identified as Jeffrey Greenburg, 24, of Tallahassee.

Police are investigating whether the three also may have been linked to the Aug. 10 theft of a woman's purse at the same beach.

Clearwater Police have made multiple arrests recently in the thefts of valuables from the beach.

Clearwater Police continue to urge those who go to the beach not to leave their personal belongings unattended. Items such as phones and other electronics, in addition to cash and credit cards, should be left secure in a car or a locker or with someone remaining on the blanket.