Three arrested in Villages burglaries.

[graciegirl]

copied from The Daily Sun today May 16, 2012

Appliances taken from 16 homes in string of crimes.
Staff Report.

The Villages-Three people were arrested in cnnection with a string of burglaries in The Villages that resulted in household appliances being taken from 16 different homes, according to Capt. Kevin Hofecker of the Sumter County Sheriff"s Office.

Hofecker said the burglaries started around March 1 and ended around April 12 with the arrest of a suspect.

The burglaries took place, according to Hofecker, at newly constructed homes in The Villages that were nearing completion.

The suspects took new appliances from the residences before the homes were occupied., he said.

The stolen items, according to Hofecker, ranged from washers and dryers to microwaves and ranges.

The first arrest came April 13 after Sumter sheriff's Detective Brad Wasson pieced together video surveillance evidence.

In the video, Wasson was able to see a black Chevrolet truck leaving the area with a load of appliances.

The video showed a portion of the license number, and Wasson was able to determine ownership, according to reports.

Wasson was able to identify the driver of the vehicle as Steven Michael Haislip, 26, of Belleview.

Haislip was arrested and charged with one count of grand theft, according to his arrest affidavit.

Bond was set at $7,000 according to jail records.

Wasson learned that Haislip and others were being directed to the homes by a construction worker in The Villages, who told them where the stocked homes were located, Hofecker said.

On May 1, Daniel Keith Sipes, 39, of Belleview was arrested on the job, according to reports.

Sipes was charged with one count of burglary, and h is bond was set at $2,000, according to jail records.

A third suspect, Cynthia Elizabeth Vilar, 26, was arrested at her residence located in the 13000 block of SE County Road 25 in Belleview, Hofecker said.

Vilar was charged with one count of burglary and one count of grand theft, according to arrest affidavit. Bond was set at $7,000. according to jail records.

Authorities have not been able to recover any of the missingi items, Hofecker said.

(Copied for the interest of folks off campus.,GG.)

[Golfer in Sanibel]

Thanks Gracie and kudos to Detective Wasson.:bigbow:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

........ (Copied for the interest of folks off campus.,GG.)

Thank you!!

Bill :)

[missypie]

Glad they gottem!!!!

Really dislike when people take things from others that they have not earned themselves.

How do ya sleep at night?????

[BobKat1]

Sweet! This kind of quick action will help to deter others. It won't stop it, but it does send a message.

[asianthree]

Good job Gracie. Wonder what cameras they got the pics from?

[PaPaLarry]

Thanks Gracie for update. I did see it in paper after. Didn't say if this was during the day or at night?? I'm curious why only some of the license number came out on video? I wonder what they did for work, that they were able to have access to The Villages? At least we can be thankful for the Sheriffs Office for apprehending them. Makes me want to be more alert in neighborhood, and like my Honey says, Lock the doors!!!!:police::police::police:

[Dayzee]

Thanks for the update Gracie.
:police: :clap2:

[Happinow]

We were warned of this prior to closing. We wanted to see our home the day before closing and our realtor told us to be sure the door was locked when we left. We told him that since we weren't able to have a key we were going to come and go the day before closing and would lock up at the end of the day. We knew our neighbors by then and saw no harm in leaving the door unlocked during the day as there was nothing but appliances in there. He said people were going around stealing appliances out of the new homes and we need to lock up. I was very surprised and saddened to hear this. Then I thought in spite of this news, I feel that TV is still one of the safest places to live!

[jimbo2012]

This thread prompted me to ask about alarms here (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/home-alarms-poll-53417/)

[jblum315]

This did not happen 3 years ago when many houses were being constructed in Hemingway where I live. Does anyone know if these burglaries took place in the area S of 466A?

[graciegirl]

This did not happen 3 years ago when many houses were being constructed in Hemingway where I live. Does anyone know if these burglaries took place in the area S of 466A?

I am guessing either there or at Mission Hills on 466. Laurel Valley didn't have any. That is all of the areas that are new builds. South of 466A is more isolated in places at this time. Soon it too will be "surrounded".

[Sable99]

I was told when I had my walk through on May 4th that ranges were taken from 6 homes one weekend and 6 microwaves were taken the next weekend from nearly finished homes. He told me it was the responsiblity of the last contractor in the house to make sure the doors were locked! He told me this after I mentioned I was able to get into my house the day before my closing as the patio door was left unlocked!

I would think that there may be more people involved. It seems to me that it would be difficult for one man and one woman to remove washers, dryers and stoves. But, who knows.

As far as the cameras. I was told by my realtor that there were cameras at all the gates for security purposes.

[Dennis Ga]

Builders have a hard time keeping material from being taken. This is a problem everwhere their is new construction. People think, 'I just need a couple of 2x4's and they want miss them'. In truth, now with all the computer programs they only order the number of each item they need for that project.

[spk7951]

A friend of mine works for Community Watch and had told me about these thefts last week. They occurred in the new build areas south of 466A mostly in the evening after the crews had left for the day. Security cameras did get pictures of the truck leaving the area with their "take".
According to the paper today one of the people arrested worked for a contractor and would tell others when it was good to hit a house for the appliances.

[champion6]

One burglary occurred in Tamarind Grove in a block of homes which were used as the cottage homes design center.

[CraigAC]

It's nice to know the County Sheriff is on top of their game. I hope this sends a message to all the other bad guys...

[Bogie Shooter]

This did not happen 3 years ago when many houses were being constructed in Hemingway where I live. Does anyone know if these burglaries took place in the area S of 466A?

It did happen in 2008. They were also caught at that time.

[anlashokna]

Our neighbors told us about the thefts before heading back north. We're keeping an eye on their place. It does surprise me that once appliances are in the new houses are still unlocked. We looked at the one across the street and it was wide open with stainless appliances already in!!

[jimbo2012]

Maybe the builders or subs need to do a security check every nite of the section they are working on.

[graciegirl]

Maybe the builders or subs need to do a security check every nite of the section they are working on.

Remember how this happened? It was one of the workers who was involved.

[BnCinME]

One burglary occurred in Tamarind Grove in a block of homes which were used as the cottage homes design center.

Hey, that's my neck of the woods. How long ago was that? When we first moved in there were only a couple of houses on our street. There used to be a black pickup with a loud exhaust that would go up and down the street at various hours of the day/night. While there were many construction vehicles going by throughout the day, this particular vehicle gave me an uneasy feeling.

Kudos to the Sumter County law enforcement for their swift action in this case! :bigbow:

[keithwand]

We were out to our new house today.
All appliances accounted for!
BBQ, ref., sink, hood and tile were missing in the summer kitchen.
Not really; they're still working on the install.
Our lawn was cut while we were there though.

[chuckster]

This did not happen 3 years ago when many houses were being constructed in Hemingway where I live. Does anyone know if these burglaries took place in the area S of 466A?

Happened 9 years ago in Chatham........A crime of opportunity like the recent ones.

[shcisamax]

Maybe those "gates" should really work versus push the button.

[LABSX2]

When we were visiting in March our sales rep. took us to several model homes and when we left one, I noticed that he didn't even close the sliders let alone lock them. Kind of like an open invitation, although the "bad guys" don't need an invitation in the first place. Glad to see that the Sheriff's Department is on top of things. :ho:

[anlashokna]

You know what..now that I'm thinking too there was a large diesel black truck that was coming through the area a lot, haven't seen it lately though!!

Hmmm..we have a lot of new builds around here too. If I saw appliances going out of a house I guess I would have to call the cops just to have them check on that. The gate guards should notice them going out versus in too!
Anyway, was just happy to see the Sheriff patrolling and sitting radar on our main stretch this morning :) Wish he/she was out here more often doing that.

[rabonkmontage@msn.com]

Why is the bail so low?

[graciegirl]

Why is the bail so low?

I was wondering the same thing.....!

[senior citizen]

...

[KathieI]

.

.......What are the TV thieves doing with the appliances???? Giving them away to family or friends?

Interesting??? I thought it was curious that they couldn't locate any of the appliances??? They are not easy to hide, wonder where they are???

[Posh 08]

I was wondering the same thing.....!

This might help answer your question or raise more.

Florida Laws: FL Statutes - Title XLVII Chapter 903 Bail - Florida Attorney Resources - Florida Laws (http://law.onecle.com/florida/criminal-procedure-and-corrections/chapter903.html)

Accused Persons Entitled to Bail; Amount of Bail; Considerations and Findings; Surety Bond; Surrender by Defendant of Operator's or Chauffeur's License as Security; Receipt; Expiration Date; Extension; Written Notice; Return of License - Mich. Comp. (http://law.onecle.com/michigan/760-777-code-of-criminal-procedure/mcl-765-6.html)

Hard to second guess the Judge without knowing backgrounds etc.

[LABSX2]

I am wondering if background checks are done on any of THE VILLAGES workers in general???

We don't have the level of new construction (if any at all to speak of) in Vermont that TV has going on.......so it is a concern.

What has been on the increase up here are locals breaking into out of stater's unoccupied "camps" and "cabins", stealing the copper for salvage.

Some are brazen enough to steal jewelry and entire sterling silver trays and tea sets in the pricier ski areas.......taking them to pawn shop for cash.

Times are hard and this type of crime seems to be increasing all over.
Prices are high on metals.....which make all these type criminals come out of the woodwork.

What are the TV thieves doing with the appliances???? Giving them away to family or friends?

Yes, the economy is bad, but the leading cause of crime is not for people to put food on their table, it's to buy drugs. I seriously doubt that they are giving the applicances away. They are more than likely selling them or trading them for drugs. I work in the Detective Bureau of my County Sheriff's Department and this is what we see that most crimes of this nature are drug related.

[graciegirl]

Yes, the economy is bad, but the leading cause of crime is not for people to put food on their table, it's to buy drugs. I seriously doubt that they are giving the applicances away. They are more than likely selling them or trading them for drugs. I work in the Detective Bureau of my County Sheriff's Department and this is what we see that most crimes of this nature are drug related.

That is just what I thought too...and they get sold on Craigs list or driven to the coasts to be fenced. Two guys including the worker from the villages who was arrested to remove them and the girl to sell them on Craigs list?

You can see I watch a lot of detective shows.

I wish we could eliminate all illegal drugs entering this country.

[ljarnold]

Thanks Graciegirl. I am one of the people off campus.

[VillagerNut]

Just an FYI for anyone that wants to know what is really happening in The Villages as far as crime. Anyone can call any of the Sheriff's Dept that service your area to request the crime stats for your area. You can call the non-emergency number and ask for someone in records. For Sumter County the number is 352-569-1600 and ask for someone in records. Please ask for a small time period like the last 2 weeks for The Villages Sheriff's calls. They will email it to you!

Also I want to help folks understand why the gates are like they are in The Villages. If you have gates that do not have a way for everyone to get in then the streets are considered PRIVATE. So FEMA will not pay for the clean up of any storm/hurricane/tornado damage. In 2007 all the gates received a button or a person at each gate so the roads are still considered public. If they were private, it also would mean The Villages would have to have a mandatory HOA (Homeowner's Assocation) to pay for everything instead of having the CDD Maintenance amounts. The gates are there to slow the cars down so the golf carts have a chance to pass behind them in most cases. Also the gates supposedly take a photo of the vehicles coming into the area.

Crime is a lot of time a crime of opportunity. If you give them the opportunity, the criminals will take advantage of the situation! We live in a great place but remember we still live in the real world where bad things can happen! Be on Guard and watch out for each other! Call 911 if you see something that does not look correct! Thank you!

[anarick]

I did a search on how the gates work in TV and found this thread. Although I understand the reason for allowing easy access I'm disappointed at the same time cause I thought TV was a gated community.
They mentioned that the stolen appliances were taken from newly constructed homes that were probably left open. Have there been any breaking and entering crimes in TV and who replaced those stolen appliances.
So how would out-of-towners, like us, protect themselves from theft? Should we get alarms? and if we get an alarm how would it get turned off when we're not there?

[NotGolfer]

I did a search on how the gates work in TV and found this thread. Although I understand the reason for allowing easy access I'm disappointed at the same time cause I thought TV was a gated community.
They mentioned that the stolen appliances were taken from newly constructed homes that were probably left open. Have there been any breaking and entering crimes in TV and who replaced those stolen appliances.
So how would out-of-towners, like us, protect themselves from theft? Should we get alarms? and if we get an alarm how would it get turned off when we're not there?

The appliances were stolen b/4 the homes were inhabited!!! The Villages is NOT "gated" as you were thinking....the gates are to slow traffic (as are the round-abouts). IF you want an alarm and feel you need it by all means have one installed. This community isn't any less safe or more dangerous than any other community in the U.S. From my personal perspective...it's relatively safe for it's size.

[anarick]

The appliances were stolen b/4 the homes were inhabited!!! The Villages is NOT "gated" as you were thinking....the gates are to slow traffic (as are the round-abouts). IF you want an alarm and feel you need it by all means have one installed. This community isn't any less safe or more dangerous than any other community in the U.S. From my personal perspective...it's relatively safe for it's size.
Thanks for your comeback.
We're in Fernandina, a new area, and we're concerned because our home, after it's built, will be relatively alone for some time before we move in permanently.
Sounds like an alarm is the way to go. I never had one before.
Do you know how it will work, I mean, if the alarm goes off and we're not there? Is it safe to leave a car or golf cart in the garage?

[2 Oldcrabs]

We had an alarm tied to "central station" for 30 years up north. It only went off 2x in 30 years. 1st time the wife set it off by accident.(had to show her drivers license to the cop) The second time lightning hit the ground in the neighbors yard and shook our house soo hard it set off the motion sensor. Central station cost about $30/month or $360/year. How much is your insurance deductible? We did not put an alarm in. We use light timers in severval rooms and have a relative check on the house. We move to TV because IHMO it is one of the safest communities we have seen.:ohdear:

[Bogie Shooter]

Thanks for your comeback.
We're in Fernandina, a new area, and we're concerned because our home, after it's built, will be relatively alone for some time before we move in permanently.
Sounds like an alarm is the way to go. I never had one before.
Do you know how it will work, I mean, if the alarm goes off and we're not there? Is it safe to leave a car or golf cart in the garage?

You are no alone. Many of us were the "first" home in a neighborhood and survived without being attacked. Besides if one was going to steal something I would go where there were a lot of houses for cover.
I wonder who you have been talking to? Yes, it is safe to put your car or golf cart in the garage.
Although there have been instances of theft in the past, it is not of epedemic proportions as you are suggesting.
Relax................
PS: Welcome to TV!

[graciegirl]

Thanks for your comeback.
We're in Fernandina, a new area, and we're concerned because our home, after it's built, will be relatively alone for some time before we move in permanently.
Sounds like an alarm is the way to go. I never had one before.
Do you know how it will work, I mean, if the alarm goes off and we're not there? Is it safe to leave a car or golf cart in the garage?

I don't see a need for worry. I really, really don't. This is one of the safest places in this country. It is just like the area of Ohio where I am from. There are folks who post on here who will alarm you. Please don't let them. It is wise to lock your house and when you get neighbors, get to know them, they will watch out for your house. Your neighborhood will be filled in, in such a short time. Please don't worry.

[anarick]

Gracie & Boogie

Thank you. Hopefully we'll meet in the near future.

[senior citizen]

copied from The Daily Sun today May 16, 2012

Appliances taken from 16 homes in string of crimes.
Staff Report.

The Villages-Three people were arrested in cnnection with a string of burglaries in The Villages that resulted in household appliances being taken from 16 different homes, according to Capt. Kevin Hofecker of the Sumter County Sheriff"s Office.

Hofecker said the burglaries started around March 1 and ended around April 12 with the arrest of a suspect.

The burglaries took place, according to Hofecker, at newly constructed homes in The Villages that were nearing completion.

The suspects took new appliances from the residences before the homes were occupied., he said.

The stolen items, according to Hofecker, ranged from washers and dryers to microwaves and ranges.

The first arrest came April 13 after Sumter sheriff's Detective Brad Wasson pieced together video surveillance evidence.

In the video, Wasson was able to see a black Chevrolet truck leaving the area with a load of appliances.

The video showed a portion of the license number, and Wasson was able to determine ownership, according to reports.

Wasson was able to identify the driver of the vehicle as Steven Michael Haislip, 26, of Belleview.

Haislip was arrested and charged with one count of grand theft, according to his arrest affidavit.

Bond was set at $7,000 according to jail records.

Wasson learned that Haislip and others were being directed to the homes by a construction worker in The Villages, who told them where the stocked homes were located, Hofecker said.

On May 1, Daniel Keith Sipes, 39, of Belleview was arrested on the job, according to reports.

Sipes was charged with one count of burglary, and h is bond was set at $2,000, according to jail records.

A third suspect, Cynthia Elizabeth Vilar, 26, was arrested at her residence located in the 13000 block of SE County Road 25 in Belleview, Hofecker said.

Vilar was charged with one count of burglary and one count of grand theft, according to arrest affidavit. Bond was set at $7,000. according to jail records.

Authorities have not been able to recover any of the missingi items, Hofecker said.

(Copied for the interest of folks off campus.,GG.)

Thanks Gracie. The above seemed to be at the end of the line when the brains were handed out. Hard to believe they felt they could steal like that, without anyone noticing or connecting the dots to the original construction worker. Just brazen thievery.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I don't see a need for worry. I really, really don't. This is one of the safest places in this country. It is just like the area of Ohio where I am from. There are folks who post on here who will alarm you. Please don't let them. It is wise to lock your house and when you get neighbors, get to know them, they will watch out for your house. Your neighborhood will be filled in, in such a short time. Please don't worry.

I couldn't have said ti better myself. To listen to some people talk you'd think that we live in South Jamaica Queens or South Central L.A. We live in one of the safest areas of the country.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

senior citizen - - - - Gracie's original post was from June 2012.

Bill :)

[senior citizen]

senior citizen - - - - Gracie's original post was from June 2012.

Bill :)

Yes, I saw the date, but it was part of this newer bunch of posts.
I clicked on her hyperlink, read it and believe it was from last springtime???

[Bogie Shooter]

different event.

[2BNTV]

Like Bill said, this thread is six months old.

I know certain costruction companies that hire security guards to protect from theft of materials. May be the way to go for the new areas being constucted.

Just sayin....

[NotGolfer]

Again...as other posters said here (Gracie and Bogie Shooter)...these are random. We moved here from a small midwestern town where crime wasn't much of a factor. I remember a time when there was a "rash" of burgleries during the day, sometimes when the folks were home. When the perps were caught, it was teenagers doing it for the excitement. Noone was ever hurt but it was a pain to lose stuff. Well, beyond a pain!! Our community by in large is very safe! I'd have no qualms taking an evening walk (in the dark) in my neighborhood. You just use common sense!!! As the others said...soon your area will look like it's been there "forever"!!!!

[LynnDeb]

glad they gottem!!!!

Really dislike when people take things from others that they have not earned themselves.

How do ya sleep at night?????


i agree

[senior citizen]

Like Bill said, this thread is six months old.

I know certain costruction companies that hire security guards to protect from theft of materials. May be the way to go for the new areas being constucted.

Just sayin....

Guys........It was a hyperlink on Gracie's post of TODAY.
Unless I'm losing my mind. I do see that the "event" was last spring/summer......which actually was not that long ago, right?