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Brevard County father goes on crime spree with children, deputies say

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Brevard County father is accused of going on a crime spree in Melbourne Beach with his 4 and 2-year-old children, deputies said.

Michael Stankowitz, 27, used a hammer to break windows of at least five cars to see what he could take over the Memorial Day weekend, deputies said.

“I don't know why the kids were there. Were they used as props so he didn't look suspicious, or was it a factor that he couldn't find someone to watch them while he was committing a crime? Either way, it wasn't a good decision,” said Tod Goodyear with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Stankowitz is charged with burglary, child neglect and violation of probation.