Burglar Robbing People

[Indy-Guy]

Play news Video

http://www.wftv.com/video/14272226/index.html

[Talk Host]

That's pretty scary.

I wondere how many people in the Villages have a fire arm in the house.

[nitehawk]

I do not have one - but am considering getting one. Just wondering what is the procedure. Do you have to take a safety course or just purchase a fire arm.

[nanci2539]

I don't think I would go that route. Particularly not being experienced. A large dog would do a better job!

Gee, I haven't moved to TV yet and this has me thinking. Of course, no place is safe but these robbers seem pretty brazen to rob during the day when people are at home.

[rdkent]

I believe in self protection and have firearms myself, BUT keep in mind:
-If you don't have the training you're more likely to hurt yourself than the burglar
-You have to be willing to use it if you're going to threaten with it. Most people without military or police training aren't really ready to use a weapon against someone.
-The way this guy operates you would have to have the weapon on you or beside you at all times. Highly unlikely.

I'd go for the alarm system.

[bamafan]

Seems to me that one of the best ways to stop a lot of this is to go to a truly gated community. All vendors would have to be screened and given ID's before they could have access. There are a lot of questionable persons just running the streets of TV. There also needs to be some controls placed on solicitation. A gun is not always the answer, as stated most people when confronted with a situtation will react in an undesirable manner, however it does cure the receivedism rate.
Alarm systems are only as good as the response to them. If the bad guys know that the response is going to be slow then they do not have a lot to lose. They will however alert and sometimes annoy your neighbors with the siren going off. Oh and has the Daily Sun mentioned any of the break ins?

[English Ivy]

The following article was in yesterday's Daily Sun:



Sumter burglary suspects sought
By KATIE TAMMEN, DAILY SUN

BUSHNELL � Sheriff�s investigators are turning to the public for help in capturing a person believed to be responsible for at least 13 reported burglaries in Sumter County between Aug. 31 and Oct. 3.

On Thursday, sheriff�s officials released suspect and vehicle descriptions, and indicated the burglar may have had two accomplices, in hopes it would help lead to clues to solving the

burglaries.

According to Sheriff Bill Farmer, those 13 burglaries occurred in the north end of Sumter County. Four of them occurred in the Sumter County portion of The Villages, as previously reported in The Villages Daily Sun. Six of the 13 burglaries happened in the Parkwood Community of Wildwood, including two Wednesday night, said Wildwood Police Capt. Edward Reeser. Three burglaries also were investigated in Continental Country Club in Sumter County, east of Wildwood on State Road 44, said Sumter County Sheriff�s Capt. Gary Brannen.

Authorities are searching for a 6-foot, 1-inch, clean-shaven black male who weighs between 180 and 200 pounds.

The suspect is believed to drive a red pickup with a black utility cover, Farmer said in a press conference Thursday afternoon.




Authorities believe the suspect enters homes through unlocked windows and doors and is �in and out really quick,� Farmer said.

�This is a burglar who will enter a home when people are home,� he said.

Most of the burglaries have occurred in the early evening and the suspect usually takes small items such as a purse or wallet, Farmer said.

While there haven�t yet been encounters between homeowners and the suspect, Farmer warned residents not to confront the suspect if they see him, but to leave their home immediately and call 911.

Law enforcement officers believe the suspect drives through neighborhoods during the day before breaking in that night, Farmer said.

This suspect, Brannen said, does not seem to care if he is seen, so residents who spot a person who fits the suspect�s description either cruising the street during the day or walking down the street at night should contact law enforcement immediately.

Authorities also are looking for two females who may be accomplices to the suspect, Farmer said.

These two women have used the credit cards stolen at the homes at fast food restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores between Sumter County and Gainesville, he said.

�What we really want to do is identify the females,� Brannen said. �It�s really in the community�s hands right now. Somebody knows who they are.�

Brannen also encouraged residents to take proactive measures to safeguard their homes against these burglaries, including locking all doors, installing security systems and motion-sensor lights.

Anyone with information in this case should contact the Sumter County Sheriff�s Office at 793-0222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS.

Katie Tammen is a writer with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753 -1119, ext. 9264, or katie.tammen@thevillagesmedia.com.

[pili]

I wouldn't buy a gun not knowing how to use one. I think everyone should be more vigilant, keep doors locked, and watch out for strangers. I saw the video from the news and the guy seems to have a lot of nerve just walking in homes. I also saw news indicating that there was a woman accomplice. The woman had ran some highly bills using a stolen credit card.
Ladies, keep your purses hidden and not in plain view. Hopefully, he'll be caught soon. I think TV is too large to be a gated community.

[RCT]

Seem to me that it would be so cost prohibitive for total gated. Imagine the cost of upkeep, if TV was solely responsible for roads?? what kind of fees would there be then?!?!?! I have looked at crime stats, and, as long as what is being reported is correct, is a very safe place still.

[bestmickey]

As I noted in a post some time ago, Knowledge is Power. If I currently lived in The Villages, I'd be loudly complaining to the developer, the local police and the local press (specifically The Villages Daily Sun) that they MUST have immediate reporting of all such crimes.

The fact that more than one month passed before they publicized the crimes is absurd!
If the crimes had been publicized immediately, it may have saved others from being victimized.

[zcaveman]

As I noted in a post some time ago, Knowledge is Power. If I currently lived in The Villages, I'd be loudly complaining to the developer, the local police and the local press (specifically The Villages Daily Sun) that they MUST have immediate reporting of all such crimes.

The fact that more than one month passed before they publicized the crimes is absurd!
If the crimes had been publicized immediately, it may have saved others from being victimized.


What makes you think that we haven't complained?

On a rare occasion there will be an article in the Daily Sun. There are more articles in the Star Banner (Ocala newspaper that covers the Villages). We are told to keep the doors, garages and windows shut and locked. We are told to report any supicious person on the streets.

These burglars come in when residents are taking showers or watching TV in the next room. As long as someone can walk through an unmanned gate, we are vulnerable.

We are being warned!! We have to be proactive also!!

[bestmickey]

We are being warned!! We have to be proactive also!!



Amen to that!

[zcaveman]

How are these people unlocking your doors? windows, etc?


They are not doing that. People are leaving their windows open to get the breeze and the burglars are cutting out the screens and coming in through the OPEN windows - or open garage doors.

[The Great Fumar]

Seems to me burglars are really taking a chance with as many veterans as there are in tv....many of us have fire arms in our homes and would not hesitate to use them...

[tbsoccer]

You don't necessarily need a big dog. Just one that barks when anyone come to the house or in the yard. Burglars aren't looking for a confrontation. So if a dog is barking when they approach a home, they will take the path of least resistance and go somewhere else. (At least it's a good theory.)

[nitehawk]

do big dog only bark at buglers that approach your house??-- or at anyone like the lawn care guys, ups, fed ex, meter reader, etc seem like a lot of barking unless they only bark at burglures maybe i perfer a gun walk softly and carry a big stick

[ouma1938]

It all sounds a little scary but then just about anywhere is these days. We do have a gun and when we move down there it will move with us. We live in a rather rural area now and only recently have we had any problems. I agree that we all have to be proactive and handle our safety as we see fit. A gun or a big dog, or both.... sounds like a good way to go.

[zcaveman]

do big dog only bark at buglers that approach your house??-- or at anyone like the lawn care guys, ups, fed ex, meter reader, etc seem like a lot of barking unless they only bark at burglures maybe i perfer a gun walk softly and carry a big stick


I have no problem with my dog barking. That is why I feed him. My very large dog barks at anyone that comes near the house. Personally he drowns out the lawn mower guy - which I prefer. He barks and I look. Better safe than sorry. If someone is trying to break in, I think he would move on to the next house when he hears a dog barking. Does your gun bark or give you an alarm when there is a strange noise? I don't think so. By the time you realize that there is someone there, it is probably too late unless you are packing all the time.

Also, I do think that these burglars do some kind of recon and have marked the houses with dogs so they don't go there.

[longislandkids]

While most Villages residents don't have a house alarm, many do have a car that does have an alarm. If your car key/remote for the car has a "panic" button on it, consider keeping your car key on your night stand. Should you hear someone trying to get into your home, you can press the panic button setting off the alarm on your car. Most burglars won't want to stay around to see if your neighbors respond to the alarm.

[nitehawk]

Great idear about the car alarm

[The Great Fumar]

Wow!! longislandk
Thats a great idea. I hope a lot of people read this and make a note of it..... very good

[islandgal]

Bama, I am with you. But secure villages can't happen here. TC developer chose to have the county/state maintain TV roads, so it realistically is not private at all.
I moved from a resort in Hilton Head, SC where the security was owned by the property owners. Vendors have a sticker on their car/truck for $100-$200 //year or the gate will call the property owner for permitting entrance.

Property owners have year round stickers on their wind shield and visitors and renters have a pass phoned into Security by the property owner with date restrictions. which are shown at an entrance gate to the property (village).
No visitors are allowed access without permission from the property owner with the exception of vendors with stickers and they are allowed between 7AM and 6 PM.

Visitors have to pick up a pass at a Welcome Center to put in their windshield to get by the armed guard at the gate. Security personnel cruised the entire area 24/7. The cost to property owners was included in their annual amenity fee.
Very Safe. Very Secure.

Don't see any way that could happen here because of the individual villages not being governed by the property owners and our publically-owned street. As TV continues to grow, I am concerned about safety.

[pili]

Have there been any more burglaries or has this guy been caught? Excellent idea about using the car alarm.

Pili

[Indy-Guy]

PERHAPS THEY GOT HIM WE ALL HOPE SO!!!!!!!

THANKS FOR THE INFO REPORTED BELOW BY BESTMICKEY


http://dailycommercial.com/Main.asp?SectionID=31&ArticleID=21621

[mmclover]

Now I am getting concerned. I live up here in Maine where we still leave our doors and windows open. However, I do have two big dogs, 135# and 80#. I am not sure how much protection they would be, but they would bark.

[peachpit]

Rodney Dangerfield said that he lived in such a tough neighborhood that he had money in his budget for muggings!

[ladykathleen]

I just read this thread. I did not know about these latest break-ins. I did not read about this in the Daily Sun. Was this in our newspaper? The Villages is not a gated community, far from it. Anyone anytime can have access to any of our streets. There is no security of any kind. And please don't even begin to mention Neighborhood what???????????? There have been so many break-ins that the Daily Sun has never mentioned, nothing negative about TV as long as the developer has homes to sell.

[bestmickey]

It was in The Daily Sun within the past ~ 10 days. (Of course, it should have been noted immediately following each incident IMHO.)

[Barefoot]

Extremely brazen of the robber to enter a bungalow when people are on the same floor.
Scary. I knew I had Brutus for a reason. (He is afraid of people, but does have a loud bark). I'd much rather have a large dog than a gun ... although I do love Bama's comment:


A gun is not always the answer, as stated most people when confronted with a situtation will react in an undesirable manner, however it does cure the receivedism rate.

[bniles]

Hi we are looking to move to T/V when we sell our home here in Louisiana We live in a gated community and had the same problem. If some one is looking to get in they will. The gates is a high cost item and will not keep any one out. You don't live in Disney Land you live in T/V and that is in the real world

[FireOnWindCSR]

Lock and Load. There are probably some firearms classes around the lady Lake area that people, interested in protection of self and property can take. Certainly, owning a firearm is no joking matter. I was raised in a household with weapons and first used one at the age of nine. I was taught respect for others, respect for animals, safety, loading and unloading, etc. My younger sisters were also taught about firearms.

If someone is braizen enough to enter your home without your permission - then you are obliged to show them your gun collection - UP CLOSE. There's nothing a good maid service can't clean up.

:bigthumbsup:

[jadebox]

News sources outside TV love to find things wrong with TV. Channel 9 repeats what they report over and over again. USUALLY Do-- Funny that their report of 200 robberies (IN AREA of The Villages-after teaser of IN THE VILLAGES) only showed up once. As for gated communities, when we go to Continental Country Club our friends who live there have to leave our name or be called when we visit, there were three robberies there. Mid-Florida Yacht Club is the same and they had someone going in their homes and stealing things while they were there. I have left my garage door open at night many times, I know thats not smart but nothing has ever been taken.

[diskman]

I was surprised that this thread is still running, didn't they arrest this person 2 weeks ago
Larry

[saratogaman]

Yes, they did arrest him (and it was reported in all of the local papers). He's awaiting trial before he goes to ---THE BIG HOUSE!

[Frangyomory]

We here in Tall Trees have complained to the developer and were told that they have neighborhood and village watch to "look out" for unusual situations. Let me tell you, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!

Our Tall Trees Ladies Club had the sheriff come to talk abou how to start a neighborhood watch of our own, within Tall Trees and after two meetings it seems to have died a natural death. No volunteers to participate.

The sheriff told us that we are our own best person to be on the look out for problems. He said if we hear glass breaking, day or night, or any sound not usual, call 911. They would rather come than not be called.

LOCK all windows and doors. A breeze is nice but particularly at night, lock it all up. This is NOT the only guy who has been robbing the villages. The last guy also cut screen windows and doors when people were out playing golf or at church and they left a window open with the screen down...or they left the lanai door unlocked.

You are your own and your neighbors best protection and I don't mean a gun. I am not opposed to having a gun, if trained, but many timesthe crook takes the gun away and uses it on the victim.

Remember, NEVER go out for ANY lengt of time with any window or door unlocked. Do NOT go to sleep with windows open and screen down.

Take care. Some crooks look at the villages as a perfect spot to rob because we are all "OLD" !!!!! Some folks are hard of hearing and might not be aware someone is creeping through their home.

Again, if you lock it up you have done all you can to be safe and secure. Keep a phone handy and don't forget 911 on a LAND line. If you use a cell phone you will have to give them the location and possibly directions because the tower getting the 911 call might be as far away as Bushnell.