Break in -Bridgeport

[Nlnicholson]

Home in Village of Bridgeport at Lake Miona burglarized Wednesday
March 6, 2014 By Meta Minton 28 Comments
A burglary in the Village of Bridgeport at Lake Miona is under investigation by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The burglary occurred sometime Wednesday evening at a home on Hartford Path.
Jewelry was taken in the burglary, said Lt. Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
A rear door window was broken out to gain entry to the home.
The couple left the residence at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday and then returned at 6:55 p.m. to retrieve items. They left again and did not return until 9 p.m.
When they returned at the later time, they discovered the break-in.
The couple told deputies that when they had returned the first time, they had noticed a white four-door sedan in the neighborhood that looked out of place.
When neighbors were interviewed by deputies, some of them also noted seeing a white car they did not recognize in the neighborhood.

[billethkid]

it is obvious the mode of operation is for the perps to pick a target and then watch the living pattern and strike when they know they have an opportunity.

TV home construction and TV lifestyles offer these cowards their opportunities.

[gomoho]

During 2012 when we first arrived (June to be exact) I don't remember hearing of these things. It's like someone has shipped in some thieves to target homes in TV. Has the word gotten out that it's a prosperous retirement community that is easy to hit?
Or maybe the stars in my eyes blinded me to what the situation was then???

[CFrance]

During 2012 when we first arrived (June to be exact) I don't remember hearing of these things. It's like someone has shipped in some thieves to target homes in TV. Has the word gotten out that it's a prosperous retirement community that is easy to hit?
Or maybe the stars in my eyes blinded me to what the situation was then???

I have no proof, but I wonder if we just have better reporting now.

Also, it could be that once someone is successful at a break-in, it spurs others on.

[angiefox10]

I have no proof, but I wonder if we just have better reporting now.

Also, it could be that once someone is successful at a break-in, it spurs others on.

I believe you are right on both counts. The Daily Sun doesn't report the break-ins so much. The reporting is coming from The Villages News.com.

[graciegirl]

Look out for anyone parked around your home and neighborhood that doesn't look like they belong there.


"A white four door sedan that looked out of place" was mentioned.


If you see something say something or call someone.


Or obviously stop and take a picture of their license.

[57ChevyFI]

With a population of over 100,000 people, the crime rate is very low in the Villages. Hopefully no one thought The Villages was free of crime? We are very lucky

[birdawg]

With a population of over 100,000 people, the crime rate is very low in the Villages. Hopefully no one thought The Villages was free of crime? We are very lucky

OH OK, Let's see everytime I leave the house I drive around the block to see if anyone is watching the house. I now pay for a security system, I now keep a loaded gun in the house. I guess I'm Just a lucky guy in the villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

Paranoia..........................

[birdawg]

Paranoia..........................

No, just a survivor.

[samhass]

I think it is a matter of time before one of these break-ins ends violently.

[dplars]

Maybe not. We just returned from a two week cruise on a Sunday night, Monday both of us left the house at 2pm and returned about two hours later and discovered the robbery. Don't think there was much planning, just a case of coincidence meeting opportunity.

[Cajulian]

Paranoia..........................

Bogie, sometimes you are just hysterically funny!

I guess it takes having experienced personally being violated, for yourself or a family member to understand why someone would feel it is important to them to have some level of security to monitor or protect themselves in their home.

I wouldn't call that Paranoia at all. I would call that Wise, especially at the rate of these regular Break-ins within The Villages and the occasional attack of individuals at public business areas outside the Villages.

Just my opinion and thoughts. We all don't have to agree, that's a good quality.

:) :) :)

[buggyone]

No, just a survivor.

Driving around the block and returning sure sounds like paranoia but whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Remember, though, if you keep a loaded gun in the house, it will be stolen if your home is burgeled.

I think the monitored security system is smart.

Chances are that you will not be at home at the time of a break-in. That gun does you no good at all in that case, does it? Just gives the robber a gun.

[rubicon]

It is understandable that as the population in the tri-county increases it will increase with all types of people good and bad.

What concerns me is the boldness of many of these crimes.

There is a controversy taking a collision course here. People understand The Villages has no formal police force and can never have one. Where does this leave lady Lake police , Sumter Lake and Marion County sheriffs, etc.
How do the county commissioners view protect and serve their towns vis a vis The Villages? Is Community Watch being used effectively? What is the efficacy of Community Watch?

Are residents of The Villages targeted any more than other homes in other communities?

The gates are they creating a false positives obstructing their efficacy ?

These are growing pangs for The Villages and you wonder if leadership is taking notice or are they too busy talking about the renovation of rec centers?

[Bogie Shooter]

Bogie, sometimes you are just hysterically funny!

I guess it takes having experienced personally being violated, for yourself or a family member to understand why someone would feel it is important to them to have some level of security to monitor or protect themselves in their home.

I wouldn't call that Paranoia at all. I would call that Wise, especially at the rate of these regular Break-ins within The Villages and the occasional attack of individuals at public business areas outside the Villages.

Just my opinion and thoughts. We all don't have to agree, that's a good quality.

:) :) :)

The loaded gun was the trigger.............................

[Bogie Shooter]

It is understandable that as the population in the tri-county increases it will increase with all types of people good and bad.

What concerns me is the boldness of many of these crimes.

There is a controversy taking a collision course here. People understand The Villages has no formal police force and can never have one. Where does this leave lady Lake police , Sumter Lake and Marion County sheriffs, etc.
How do the county commissioners view protect and serve their towns vis a vis The Villages? Is Community Watch being used effectively? What is the efficacy of Community Watch?

Are residents of The Villages targeted any more than other homes in other communities?

The gates are they creating a false positives obstructing their efficacy ?

These are growing pangs for The Villages and you wonder if leadership is taking notice or are they too busy talking about the renovation of rec centers?

As you know we cannot have a cop on every corner or a patrol car passing our house every fifteen minutes. That being said I think that all the policing units you mention are doing a helluva job catching these bad guys!

[rubicon]

I think it is a matter of time before one of these break-ins ends violently.

samhass: prescience

[57ChevyFI]

OH OK, Let's see everytime I leave the house I drive around the block to see if anyone is watching the house. I now pay for a security system, I now keep a loaded gun in the house. I guess I'm Just a lucky guy in the villages.

Good point I hear people comparing the Villages to Chicago and Washington DC all the time.

[e-flyer]

Better to keep the loaded gun on your hip…..unless your sleeping :-)

[billethkid]

Good point I hear people comparing the Villages to Chicago and Washington DC all the time.

and were these people wearing tin foil hats and able to walk a straight line?
Chicago? Washington DC?:a20::1rotfl:

[Bogie Shooter]

Good point I hear people comparing the Villages to Chicago and Washington DC all the time.

///

[villagerjack]

Drama

[gpirate]

Driving around the block and returning sure sounds like paranoia but whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Remember, though, if you keep a loaded gun in the house, it will be stolen if your home is burgeled.

I think the monitored security system is smart.

Chances are that you will not be at home at the time of a break-in. That gun does you no good at all in that case, does it? Just gives the robber a gun.

Not all true. It seems they are after jewelry and I have not heard anyone mention a weapon being stolen. Maybe they are checking these post to see whom is against guns and whom is not. Then bang they go steal jewelry knowing they will not be shot.

[gpirate]

Good point I hear people comparing the Villages to Chicago and Washington DC all the time.

NO one is going to out do Chicago for killings. Comparing TV to Chicago is ridiculous.

[chuckinca]

Actually; Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Tennessee all have higher homicide rates than Illinois .
And Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania are close behind.

Murder Rates Nationally and By State | Death Penalty Information Center (http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/murder-rates-nationally-and-state)


.

[dbussone]

Chicago May be in IL but IL hardly has the same murder rate.

[chuckinca]

Illinois population is around 12.8 Mil

Chicago metro is around 9.5 Mil



.

[dbussone]

The point of the poster was the comparison of cities not states. I understand statistics

What is the homicide rate in Chicago compared to TV by whatever method you choose!

[TNLAKEPANDA]

People who break into homes are looking for items they can turn into quick cash. Install an alarm system like SimpleSafe that is not very expensive and it totally wireless and monitored. Protect your self and exercise your second amendment rights... own and learn how to use a gun. It could save your life.

[dbussone]

Agreed

[Abster]

During 2012 when we first arrived (June to be exact) I don't remember hearing of these things. It's like someone has shipped in some thieves to target homes in TV. Has the word gotten out that it's a prosperous retirement community that is easy to hit?
Or maybe the stars in my eyes blinded me to what the situation was then???

Sadly this place is no better than any other small town. It seems a lot of people bought into the idea of this being free of all bad. There are thieves, sex offenders, drug addicts and drunks. The best you can do is be aware of your surroundings and take the necessary precautions to afford yourself a safe environment. I do think the paper does all of us an injustice in not printing what REALLY is going on in the area. We continue to grow. With that growth will come many more problems.

[Bonanza]

I for one, would love to see the" keystone cops" at the gates, go the way of the winds, and that includes the gates themselves.

I suggest that they monies that are used to pay those salaries, the monies used for the maintenance, and any other money used for gate purposes, be channeled into having off duty cops in unmarked cars patrolling at the peak hours when break-ins occur. I am not aware of the cameras ever having served a purpose (my awareness is from heresay).

The days and times would be sporatic so the "bad guys" would never know when or where.

I have some other thoughts but for the time being, those of you who read these posts can digest this one.

[Bay Kid]

Once I get my smart phone I will turn from being a nosey neighbor to a neighborhood watch person!
If I see a strange car or person I WILL take your picture!

[billethkid]

the positive I see in these violations is that they are mostly timed for or to locations where the resident is away.

When they enter a home with known occupants is a whole different type invader!!

[chuckinca]

The point of the poster was the comparison of cities not states. I understand statistics

What is the homicide rate in Chicago compared to TV by whatever method you choose!

I was replying to the gpirate post that said "NO one is going to out do Chicago for killings." Had nada to do with TV.

Statistically, Illinois is Chicago.
.

[redwitch]

I for one, would love to see the" keystone cops" at the gates, go the way of the winds, and that includes the gates themselves.

I suggest that they monies that are used to pay those salaries, the monies used for the maintenance, and any other money used for gate purposes, be channeled into having off duty cops in unmarked cars patrolling at the peak hours when break-ins occur. I am not aware of the cameras ever having served a purpose (my awareness is from heresay).

The days and times would be sporatic so the "bad guys" would never know when or where.

I have some other thoughts but for the time being, those of you who read these posts can digest this one.

There is definitely one known instance where the cameras caught the thieves. This was a few years ago -- a snowbird's home was emptied of all of its contents in, I believe, Sunset Pointe. A camera caught a truck entering the village with empty back. It left filled to the brims. Apparently, it was very easy for the sheriff to track down the thieves and recover almost all items.

As to the "keystone cops," I will admit that I'm not a fan of Neighborhood Watch. It seems they rarely do what we think of as their job -- patrolling neighborhoods, noticing things out of the ordinary, telling folks their garage door is open after 10:00 pm, but I imagine they are a minor deterrent for criminals.

As to the gates, I would prefer they stay since they do help slow down traffic and at least give golf carts a chance to cross streets. Also, I love the gate keepers. More than once I've stopped and gotten directions from them, especially in new areas. I almost always have a map on me but I seem to forget my glasses more often than not.

I've lived here over eight years and travel from one end of TV to the other weekly. This has been the case since my first six months here. There has never been a year where I didn't hear of a burglary or some other felonious crime (I'm not counting DUIs, etc.). It seems as if more of these types of crimes occur during the winter months.

The cops will either catch these thieves or they'll move on to another venue. Depends how professional they are. The smart ones only hit an area for a certain amount of time and then go on to a new area.

TV is not perfect but it is very, very good.

[Bonanza]

There is definitely one known instance where the cameras caught the thieves. This was a few years ago -- a snowbird's home was emptied of all of its contents in, I believe, Sunset Pointe. A camera caught a truck entering the village with empty back. It left filled to the brims. Apparently, it was very easy for the sheriff to track down the thieves and recover almost all items.

As to the "keystone cops," I will admit that I'm not a fan of Neighborhood Watch. It seems they rarely do what we think of as their job -- patrolling neighborhoods, noticing things out of the ordinary, telling folks their garage door is open after 10:00 pm, but I imagine they are a minor deterrent for criminals.

As to the gates, I would prefer they stay since they do help slow down traffic and at least give golf carts a chance to cross streets. Also, I love the gate keepers. More than once I've stopped and gotten directions from them, especially in new areas. I almost always have a map on me but I seem to forget my glasses more often than not.

I've lived here over eight years and travel from one end of TV to the other weekly. This has been the case since my first six months here. There has never been a year where I didn't hear of a burglary or some other felonious crime (I'm not counting DUIs, etc.). It seems as if more of these types of crimes occur during the winter months.

The cops will either catch these thieves or they'll move on to another venue. Depends how professional they are. The smart ones only hit an area for a certain amount of time and then go on to a new area.

TV is not perfect but it is very, very good.

Redwitch . . . Some of your points are well taken. The truck you mention is an obvious case in point, but the reason it stood out was because it was a truck. With hundreds of cars in and out of gates, particularly in season, I think it would be impossible to identify a specific car as the culpret regarding a break-in.

Yes, the guards are nice. However, since the streets are all public, that means that anyone can come and go as they please -- residents and non-residents alike. I don't know the actual cost per annum, but between salaries and gate related costs it has to be well over a million. I just feel that coverage by off-duty cops would be a better way to spend that money to get better results.

That's just my opinion and I realize that nothing is going to change because of it!

[Bonanza]

There is definitely one known instance where the cameras caught the thieves. This was a few years ago -- a snowbird's home was emptied of all of its contents in, I believe, Sunset Pointe. A camera caught a truck entering the village with empty back. It left filled to the brims. Apparently, it was very easy for the sheriff to track down the thieves and recover almost all items.

As to the "keystone cops," I will admit that I'm not a fan of Neighborhood Watch. It seems they rarely do what we think of as their job -- patrolling neighborhoods, noticing things out of the ordinary, telling folks their garage door is open after 10:00 pm, but I imagine they are a minor deterrent for criminals.

As to the gates, I would prefer they stay since they do help slow down traffic and at least give golf carts a chance to cross streets. Also, I love the gate keepers. More than once I've stopped and gotten directions from them, especially in new areas. I almost always have a map on me but I seem to forget my glasses more often than not.

I've lived here over eight years and travel from one end of TV to the other weekly. This has been the case since my first six months here. There has never been a year where I didn't hear of a burglary or some other felonious crime (I'm not counting DUIs, etc.). It seems as if more of these types of crimes occur during the winter months.

The cops will either catch these thieves or they'll move on to another venue. Depends how professional they are. The smart ones only hit an area for a certain amount of time and then go on to a new area.

TV is not perfect but it is very, very good.

Redwitch . . . Some of your points are well taken. The truck you mention is an obvious case in point, but the reason it stood out was because it was a truck. With hundreds of cars in and out of gates, particularly in season, I think it would be impossible to identify a specific car as the culpret regarding a break-in.

Yes, the guards are nice. However, since the streets are all public, that means that anyone can come and go as they please -- residents and non-residents alike. I don't know the actual cost per annum, but between salaries and gate related costs it has to be well over a million. I just feel that coverage by off-duty cops would be a better way to spend that money and get better results.

That's just my opinion andI realize that nothing is going to change because of it!

[graciegirl]

There is definitely one known instance where the cameras caught the thieves. This was a few years ago -- a snowbird's home was emptied of all of its contents in, I believe, Sunset Pointe. A camera caught a truck entering the village with empty back. It left filled to the brims. Apparently, it was very easy for the sheriff to track down the thieves and recover almost all items.

As to the "keystone cops," I will admit that I'm not a fan of Neighborhood Watch. It seems they rarely do what we think of as their job -- patrolling neighborhoods, noticing things out of the ordinary, telling folks their garage door is open after 10:00 pm, but I imagine they are a minor deterrent for criminals.

As to the gates, I would prefer they stay since they do help slow down traffic and at least give golf carts a chance to cross streets. Also, I love the gate keepers. More than once I've stopped and gotten directions from them, especially in new areas. I almost always have a map on me but I seem to forget my glasses more often than not.

I've lived here over eight years and travel from one end of TV to the other weekly. This has been the case since my first six months here. There has never been a year where I didn't hear of a burglary or some other felonious crime (I'm not counting DUIs, etc.). It seems as if more of these types of crimes occur during the winter months.

The cops will either catch these thieves or they'll move on to another venue. Depends how professional they are. The smart ones only hit an area for a certain amount of time and then go on to a new area.

TV is not perfect but it is very, very good.


I agree Red. Well said.

[Golfingnut]

Sadly this place is no better than any other small town. It seems a lot of people bought into the idea of this being free of all bad. There are thieves, sex offenders, drug addicts and drunks. The best you can do is be aware of your surroundings and take the necessary precautions to afford yourself a safe environment. I do think the paper does all of us an injustice in not printing what REALLY is going on in the area. We continue to grow. With that growth will come many more problems.

I found another central Florida town GAINESVILLE, to see just how terrible our problems are.

Gainesville crime rate
VIOLENT PROPERTY TOTAL
870 5,756 6,626


VIOLENT PROPERTY TOTAL
60 395 455

Humm maybe your incorrect with your assumption.

[Golfingnut]

The Villages is in my research the safest city in the United States that has a population at or even close to our size.

[Bogie Shooter]

People who break into homes are looking for items they can turn into quick cash. Install an alarm system like SimpleSafe that is not very expensive and it totally wireless and monitored. Protect your self and exercise your second amendment rights... own and learn how to use a gun. It could save your life.

I don't remember reading that any of these events were "home invasions"?

[Bogie Shooter]

Sadly this place is no better than any other small town. It seems a lot of people bought into the idea of this being free of all bad. There are thieves, sex offenders, drug addicts and drunks. The best you can do is be aware of your surroundings and take the necessary precautions to afford yourself a safe environment. I do think the paper does all of us an injustice in not printing what REALLY is going on in the area. We continue to grow. With that growth will come many more problems.

The "paper" is now printing the events that in the past were not printed.

[TexaninVA]

There is definitely one known instance where the cameras caught the thieves. This was a few years ago -- a snowbird's home was emptied of all of its contents in, I believe, Sunset Pointe. A camera caught a truck entering the village with empty back. It left filled to the brims. Apparently, it was very easy for the sheriff to track down the thieves and recover almost all items.

As to the "keystone cops," I will admit that I'm not a fan of Neighborhood Watch. It seems they rarely do what we think of as their job -- patrolling neighborhoods, noticing things out of the ordinary, telling folks their garage door is open after 10:00 pm, but I imagine they are a minor deterrent for criminals.

As to the gates, I would prefer they stay since they do help slow down traffic and at least give golf carts a chance to cross streets. Also, I love the gate keepers. More than once I've stopped and gotten directions from them, especially in new areas. I almost always have a map on me but I seem to forget my glasses more often than not.

I've lived here over eight years and travel from one end of TV to the other weekly. This has been the case since my first six months here. There has never been a year where I didn't hear of a burglary or some other felonious crime (I'm not counting DUIs, etc.). It seems as if more of these types of crimes occur during the winter months.

The cops will either catch these thieves or they'll move on to another venue. Depends how professional they are. The smart ones only hit an area for a certain amount of time and then go on to a new area.

TV is not perfect but it is very, very good.

Excellent post and accurate observations, especially your last sentence. The crime levels here are low compared to national averages. After taking basic precautions (lock your doors, harden the "target" etc) the real deterrent is having neighbors who a) pay attention b) take notes or photos or unusual cars / people in the neighborhood and c) when appropriate, contact the Sheriff to alert.

In other words, once potential thieves get the word that the Village of XYZ has alert residents who pay attention, they will move on to a village whose residents do not.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Would love to see stats on gated communities versus non gated. Are the break ins occuring in gated communities in Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties?

[billethkid]

Would love to see stats on gated communities versus non gated. Are the break ins occuring in gated communities in Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties?

I assume you are not referring to TV as a gated community....because it most certainly is not.

However, I can tell you that living in a true gated community the incidence of break ins/robberies/thefts was zero in those communities we lived in.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

I assume you are not referring to TV as a gated community....because it most certainly is not.

However, I can tell you that living in a true gated community the incidence of break ins/robberies/thefts was zero in those communities we lived in.

Thanks. I've never lived in a gated community. Often wondered if they were as secure as they looked. You've answered my question.

[Trish Crocker]

A couple of months ago my daughter and her baby were here. He woke up around 2am and was fussing. I was walking him around the house and decided to step out the front door with him for some fresh air. Just as I did, a police officer was walking toward me. I asked him what was up and he told me that he wanted to let me know that my garage door was open. After thanking him for letting me know he pointed down the street to a white van that was backed into my neighbors drive and asked me if I had seen it there before..I had, it was my neighbors. It was a comforting feeling to know that someone was watching out for us.

[Bonanza]

I assume you are not referring to TV as a gated community....because it most certainly is not.

However, I can tell you that living in a true gated community the incidence of break ins/robberies/thefts was zero in those communities we lived in.

Billethkid -- I can tell you if your previous gated community never had a robbery, etc.,
you were probably among the less than 1%.
What you are citing is as rare as a spotted tiger in any
community or neighborhood -- gated or not.

As a Realtor of 30 years and having dealt with gated communities in the Boca Raton area, (many of which were expensive homes),
some sort of robbery, break-in, etc., was not uncommon at all.
This is commonplace in gated communities because it is assumed there are better things to steal -- more valuable things and more of it.

Most of these things happened during daylight hours when many service people are coming and going.

[dotti105]

We all do need to be aware of our surroundings. It can't be stressed enough. Check out the vehicles in your neighbors drives. Check out the vehicles parked on the streets. If something feels wrong, please take out your cell phone and take a photo of the vehicle and license plate. Quick and easy. You might have just obtained info which the authorities could use to locate the low life planning his next inside job.

Something, I do hate to mention. This could be residents. Hard to swallow. But with 100,000+/- residents, we must recognize that there are some who are not outstanding citizens. Just be cautious and try to recall conversations you had with neighbors about going out at certain times . I don't mean to simply mistrust your neighbors. But just to be cautious and smart.

And snap that license plate. So simple and could turn out to be the break needed in solving the next crime.

[JB in TV]

We lived in a "gated community" before moving to TV. It had a gate that required an entry code or remote control to open the gate. What a joke. Might as well have been an open gate all the time. Residents and real estate agents (who should have known better!) gave codes out to many people, so after a few months, anyone could get in. And did. We didn't choose that community because of the gate, in fact, the gate was listed on our negative side of the decision list. Some people think it gives them more security, but it is quite the opposite. Besides giving out that "maybe we have more to protect" signal to outsiders...all it did was require the homeowners to maintain the streets. Once you make it "gated" the municipality no longer provides that maintenance.

A gate with a security guard controlling the entry is probably the best way to keep unwanted folks out of a community, but it is far from perfect as well.

As Dotti said...It boils down to everyone being aware of what goes on in their neighborhood, and not taking steps to aid the criminals. Be smart...