- KISSIMMEE, FL — The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has announced the arrest of a county Code Enforcement Officer who is accused of stealing a package containing a $600 cell phone. According to an official statement from the sheriff’s office, the suspect, identified as Vanessa Ramon, was taken into custody after she was allegedly caught on surveillance video taking the package while in full uniform and placing it in the back of a white county-issued pickup truck.
The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood in Osceola County, where a resident reported a missing package that was confirmed to have been delivered. After the report was filed, OCSO investigators reviewed home security footage from the complainant’s property and discovered a disturbing scene: a county Code Enforcement Officer, later identified as Ramon, approached the residence during regular working hours, removed the package from the doorstep, and tossed it into the back of her marked government vehicle.
The package in question contained a new smartphone valued at approximately $600, which was intended for the resident who filed the complaint. Sheriff’s officials confirmed that Ramon was on duty and in full Code Enforcement uniform at the time of the alleged theft. The video evidence, combined with corroborating statements and internal tracking of county vehicles, led deputies directly to Ramon as the primary suspect.
According to the arrest affidavit, investigators confronted Ramon with the evidence, at which point she initially denied involvement. However, when shown footage of the incident, she reportedly admitted to taking the package and claimed she intended to return it, though no efforts to do so had been made. The sheriff’s office emphasized that her actions constituted a violation of public trust, especially given her position as a county official tasked with enforcing local codes and upholding community standards.
Vanessa Ramon was booked into the Osceola County Jail on charges of grand theft, a felony under Florida law due to the value of the item stolen. She has since been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and any internal disciplinary actions that may follow. A spokesperson for Osceola County government stated that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement and expressed dismay over the allegations.
“This type of behavior is unacceptable from any public servant,” said Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez in a statement. “We hold all individuals accountable under the law, regardless of their position. Our residents deserve to trust those who serve their communities, and this betrayal of that trust will not be tolerated.”
The sheriff’s office has not ruled out the possibility of additional charges if more victims or similar incidents come to light during the ongoing investigation. Residents in the area have been encouraged to report any suspicious activity involving county employees or missing deliveries that may be related.
As of now, Ramon remains under investigation, and no further comments have been issued by her or her legal representation. The sheriff’s office reiterated its commitment to transparency and integrity in law enforcement and public service roles, vowing to pursue justice wherever misconduct is found.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at (407) 348-2222 or report tips anonymously through Crimeline.