A Deltona man is accused of stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of potted plants and other yard ornaments, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.Deputies said Dennis Carlo, 66, had numerous potted plants, statues and windmills artfully arranged and secured by zip ties to a fence at his home on Lino Court on Saturday.Carlo began stealing the items three weeks ago from front yards in the area, deputies said. Seven victims reported missing potted plants, statues and windmills since Aug. 18."Who would steal someone's windmill? It's crazy," said victim Gayle McVey. "I mean, come on, if you're going to steal something, steal something good. If you're going to go to jail for it at least have some money in it, you know?"Deputies said they were able to track Carlo down because one of the victims captured him stealing the ornaments on surveillance video.Most watched: Hundreds of kids sickened by respiratory virusCarlo said he just has a green thumb."This is my hobby. I like to raise plants," Carlo said.He admits taking one from a home he thought was vacant but said he bought the rest from a traveling plant salesman, who allegedly sold the stolen shrubbery out the back of a truck.WESH 2's Matt Grant arranged for McVey's daughter to stop by Carlo's home and get McVey's beloved blue windmill."I want to thank WESH 2 News for helping us get it back. If it wasn't for you guys I don't know if we would have got it back," said McVey's daughter Misty Bowen.Carlo was charged with seven counts of petit theft."I am very, very sorry about this. I did not know it was stolen," Carlo said.Related: Florida mug shots

A Deltona man is accused of stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of potted plants and other yard ornaments, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said Dennis Carlo, 66, had numerous potted plants, statues and windmills artfully arranged and secured by zip ties to a fence at his home on Lino Court on Saturday.


Carlo began stealing the items three weeks ago from front yards in the area, deputies said. Seven victims reported missing potted plants, statues and windmills since Aug. 18.

"Who would steal someone's windmill? It's crazy," said victim Gayle McVey. "I mean, come on, if you're going to steal something, steal something good. If you're going to go to jail for it at least have some money in it, you know?"

Deputies said they were able to track Carlo down because one of the victims captured him stealing the ornaments on surveillance video.

Most watched: Hundreds of kids sickened by respiratory virus

Carlo said he just has a green thumb.

"This is my hobby. I like to raise plants," Carlo said.

He admits taking one from a home he thought was vacant but said he bought the rest from a traveling plant salesman, who allegedly sold the stolen shrubbery out the back of a truck.

WESH 2's Matt Grant arranged for McVey's daughter to stop by Carlo's home and get McVey's beloved blue windmill.

"I want to thank WESH 2 News for helping us get it back. If it wasn't for you guys I don't know if we would have got it back," said McVey's daughter Misty Bowen.

Carlo was charged with seven counts of petit theft.

"I am very, very sorry about this. I did not know it was stolen," Carlo said.

Related: Florida mug shots