A Volusia County woman was arrested Sunday and charged with burglary of a home evacuated during Hurricane Irma, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

  • Woman accused of burglary of home evacuated during Irma
  • Cigarette butt left behind linked Cassandra Taylor to burglary
  • Taylor was arrested Sunday and charged with grand theft

DNA found on a cigarette butt left behind at a DeLeon Springs house lead investigators to 32-year-old Cassandra Taylor.  

The homeowner evacuated his home on Billings Avenue on Sept. 9 during Irma. He returned on Sept. 12 to find the home had been ransacked.

The non-smoker found a cigarette butt that had been left behind and turned it over to authorities.

Investigators received the DNA results from the cigarette, which matched Taylor.

She was arrested at the Volusia County Branch Jail, where she was already being held on a separate case.

Taylor is accused of taking jeans, sneakers, purses, a DVD player and a piggy bank from the home.

She was charged with grand theft and burglary of a dwelling during a state of emergency.

Deputies said Taylor confessed to taking part on the robbery.

A second suspect, 25-year-old Oscar Bravo, was also arrested Sunday.

Bravo faces the same charges as Taylor.