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Cut and pasted from the online news;


The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is warning that we are approaching the time of year when our agency sees a spike in residential burglaries committed by nomadic criminals. These groups of people commonly referred to as “Gypsies” travel in groups throughout the state of Florida as well as other states along the east coast and prey on unsuspecting residents.
It is imperative that each resident does their part to stay vigilant and mindful of not only their own property, but that of the residences around them.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents in The Villages to keep an eye out for unfamiliar subjects walking in their neighborhood. They have been known to walk up to residences, between them and/or behind them. In past years, female criminals have advised inquiring residents they were looking for a dog and the females had thick accents. A newer-style vehicle, usually a rental, is often nearby. It is used to drop off the subjects who ultimately commit the burglaries and then picks them back up after the crime has been committed.
Past accounts of males and females observed walking through residences have been that they are of Hispanic descent due to their medium skin tone, dark-colored hair, and dark-colored eyes. Nomadic criminals are not Hispanic. To the contrary, they are of European descent, but are often mislabeled by witnesses as being Hispanic. They usually have thick Russian or Polish accents and are based near the Chicago, Ill. area.
The most common items that have been stolen from Villages residents in the past have been valuable jewelry and silver housewares. Nomadic Criminals typically have not been interested in firearms and electronics. The master bedroom is often the target area. It is believed the items are being brought back to the Chicago area to be sold on the underground market.
The sheriff’s office reminds residents to lock your residence’s doors and windows when you are not home to limit the temptation of criminals. However, nomadic criminals have been known to forcibly enter a residence through either the rear sliding glass door when it is found to be locked. Do not leave valuable jewelry lying unsecured in your residence where it is easily accessible to anyone looking for it in a hurry. Maintain all serial numbers of expensive watches as well. If someone approaches you and says they are looking for a dog, they could in fact be distracting you from what is occurring at the rear of your residence or at your neighbor’s residence. Past burglaries have occurred in short windows of the homeowner not being home. Some victims only reported being gone for 30 minutes. Be careful of indicating on social media of you not being home.
The sheriff’s office taking numerous proactive steps to track and deter these criminals from impeding on your lifestyle and invading your privacy, but we can be immensely more effective if you do your part too. Call 911 immediately upon observing any of the above-described individuals or if your residence has been burglarized. Time is of the essence and waiting to call could mean letting the criminals get away and preying on fellow residents. Do not touch anything in your residence if it has been burglarized and exit the same way you entered. Cleaning up will compromise the scene and inhibit a thorough investigation. You can also reach the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency hotline at (352) 793-2621 or (352) 728-6909.