Gardener accused of stealing $42K from Lake County couple

Man went on shopping spree with wife, deputies say

LEESBURG, Fla. – A Lake County gardener is accused of stealing more than $42,000 in cash and goods from a couple and then spending the money on cars and a shopping spree with his wife, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

One of the victims, a 71-year-old woman, told deputies she paid her gardener, Scott Rusch, $400 to install a sprinkler system at her Leesburg home while she and her husband were on a two-week vacation in Alabama. She gave the key fob and the access code for the security system to the gardener's wife, Stacey Rusch, but said the couple were not to enter the home under any circumstances, according to the arrest affidavit.

The victim cut her vacation short when she got a text saying Scott Rusch was selling property from the house, including a 2016 EZGo Golf Cart valued at $6,400 and airsoft guns valued at $550.

When she arrived home, the victim told deputies the golf cart and airsoft guns were missing along with $16,000 in cash that was stored in a safe; seven diamond rings valued at $18,000; a rifle valued at $600; a screwdriver with a case and batteries worth $200; and various items of jewelry valued at $600.

A deputy who interviewed Scott Rusch on Saturday and said the suspect told him he took the golf cart for a week before returning it, and that a friend of his then went back and stole it. The friend told deputies that he had bought some of the stolen items from Scott Rusch, including a gun for $100 and some watches. The golf cart was sold to a third party for $400, the affidavit said.

Deputies said that during a follow-up interview with Scott Rusch on Sunday, the suspect admitted he entered the residence and stole property on two occasions. Stacey Rusch told deputies she gave her husband the key fob and the pass code, but she was not present when the property was stolen.

The couple said they used the money to buy a 2006 Cadillac for $3,700, two other vehicles and to go on a shopping spree at Wal-Mart, the affidavit said.

Stacey Rusch said she was "very, very sorry for everything," deputies said.

The Ruschs are charged with armed burglary, grand theft auto, grand theft and trafficking in stolen property. 


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