Burglary at Miona Shores

[OscarOlden]

This thread is not meant to cause panic but to educate.

Early this morning between 1:15 and 4:00 AM, there was a break-in at a home in Miona Shores. The residents were sleeping. Items of value were taken.

Of course, the sheriff's office was notified and they are checking the gate cameras.

The fact remains that The Villages is probably one of the safest communities to live in an area of over 100,000 residents. However, we must remain vigilant.

[graciegirl]

This thread is not meant to cause panic but to educate.

Early this morning between 1:15 and 4:00 AM, there was a break-in at a home in Miona Shores. The residents were sleeping. Items of value were taken.

Of course, the sheriff's office was notified and they are checking the gate cameras.

The fact remains that The Villages is probably one of the safest communities to live in an area of over 100,000 residents. However, we must remain vigilant.


That is indeed bad news. Several posters live there, can you fill us in?

[billethkid]

I would need to know more as well simply because it is on a different level of concern when burglars are prepared to break and enter with the resient at home. It suggests they are prepared to deal with who ever or what ever they come across.

How could someone sleep through a break in?
How did they get in?
Were they in the home owners bedroom?

While still only an isolated incident it is of more concern.

Even though we have a dog and a loaded gun "handy", it is an encounter to be avoided if at all possible.

[pklein9747]

I would need to know more as well simply because it is on a different level of concern when burglars are prepared to break and enter with the resient at home. It suggests they are prepared to deal with who ever or what ever they come across.

How could someone sleep through a break in?
How did they get in?
Were they in the home owners bedroom?

While still only an isolated incident it is of more concern.

Even though we have a dog and a loaded gun "handy", it is an encounter to be avoided if at all possible.

When we lived in NJ, our house was broken into while we slept. They took the glass out of a door and opened it to gain access. I'm grateful we never heard them. If we had and gone downstairs, I'm sure they would have harmed us. It is easy to replace things, not people. Needless to say, we did feel violated and it took a very long time before I was able to sleep through the night and feel comfortable in our home.

[JourneyOfLife]

If the occupants were home, wouldn't it technically be a home invasion under Florida Statute?

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0800-0899/0812/Sections/0812.135.html)

I found this article while searching the internet for a description of the difference between burglary and home invasion.

Burglary and Home Invasions in Florida | Criminal Law (http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/burglary-and-home-invasions-florida.htm)

[graciegirl]

Friends who live there say it is on a corner interior lot and not real near the entrance. All the houses on that street Miona Shores Drive face the street and back to other homes. Which I always thought made interior lots a tad safer.


Come on Mr. Sheriff. Get these varmints. I am guessing that someone has exterior cameras around there.

[TexaninVA]

This thread is not meant to cause panic but to educate.

Early this morning between 1:15 and 4:00 AM, there was a break-in at a home in Miona Shores. The residents were sleeping. Items of value were taken.

Of course, the sheriff's office was notified and they are checking the gate cameras.

The fact remains that The Villages is probably one of the safest communities to live in an area of over 100,000 residents. However, we must remain vigilant.

This is a serious escalation, and a different MO from the mid-day breaking and entering that's happened several times in Sanibel, Collier and elsewhere.

It also implies, that in the absence of successful arrests (hopefully soon) by the Sumter County Sheriff, the level of criminal boldness is likely to continue to grow.

[buggyone]

I would need to know more as well simply because it is on a different level of concern when burglars are prepared to break and enter with the resient at home. It suggests they are prepared to deal with who ever or what ever they come across.

How could someone sleep through a break in?
How did they get in?
Were they in the home owners bedroom?

While still only an isolated incident it is of more concern.

Even though we have a dog and a loaded gun "handy", it is an encounter to be avoided if at all possible.


If the doors are locked, I do not see how it is possible (in a one level house) to break in with no noise. I would like to know more details before completely believing this one. Possible but seems unlikely at this point. Just posting my opinion.

[JAV0108]

If the doors are locked, I do not see how it is possible (in a one level house) to break in with no noise. I would like to know more details before completely believing this one. Possible but seems unlikely at this point. Just posting my opinion.

Not when there are hearing issues. Just saying.

[logdog]

If the doors are locked, I do not see how it is possible (in a one level house) to break in with no noise. I would like to know more details before completely believing this one. Possible but seems unlikely at this point. Just posting my opinion.

Back door was unlocked.

http://www.*******************/sheriffs-office-investigating-rash-villages-break-ins/

[janmcn]

A current article about the burglaries in The Villages on-line news says there have been seven in the last 60 days. The back door of the house in Bridgeport was unlocked and the screen was cut, according to the article. It's unclear if the owner left the door unlocked, or if the perpetrator unlocked it. The article also says the owners have two small dogs who apparently slept through the whole thing.

[graciegirl]

A current article about the burglaries in The Villages on-line news says there have been seven in the last 60 days. The back door of the house in Bridgeport was unlocked and the screen was cut, according to the article. It's unclear if the owner left the door unlocked, or if the perpetrator unlocked it. The article also says the owners have two small dogs who apparently slept through the whole thing.


Very alarming.


Here's Meta's report.


Sheriff’s office investigating rash of burglaries in The Villages

January 3, 2014 By Meta Minton (http://www.*******************/author/meta-minton/) 2 Comments (http://www.*******************/sheriffs-office-investigating-rash-villages-break-ins/#comments)
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is investigating seven burglaries which have taken place in the past 60 days in The Villages.
Of the seven burglaries, four included forced entry by kicking in the front door, two gained entry through forcing open a sliding glass door and the final burglary was to an automobile, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Villages Homeowners Association Director at Large Irv Markely, a resident of the Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores, said there was a break-in in his Village just this morning.
He said the break-in occurred between 1:30 and 4:30 a.m., while the homeowners were present.
He said a back screen had been cut and the back door had been unlocked.
“They have two little dogs, too,” Markley said.
He tries to keep his neighbors aware of such incidents and sent out an email blast to his neighborhood encouraging vigilance.
Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe urges Villagers to take advantage of the sheriff’s free home inspection program. Through it, a member of the sheriff’s office will visit a home and provide tips on securing the home. You can schedule an appointment by calling 689-4600.
He added that neighbors looking out for neighbors is also effective.

[patfla06]

That is pretty brazen to break in while people are sleeping.
I am putting in an alarm.
It's getting scary!

[lewie]

This is so alarming! Might there be a common denominator among those who were burglarized? For example, builder, subcontractors, service providers, social circles?

[Ron1Z]

I put in a wireless alarm on every door and window that can sound off in the house or go to a central station for 15.00 per month. Works great and gave me piece of mind, also has key fobs to turn on and off. 400 dollar investment.

[graciegirl]

This is so alarming! Might there be a common denominator among those who were burglarized? For example, builder, subcontractors, service providers, social circles?



Here is what I think, if you are leaving together and you see lawn people near your home. WAIT.


Our friends who live on the coast in a truly gated community had a rash of daytime burglaries and it was traced a man working for a lawn service phoning a friend when he saw both people leave their home.

[birdawg]

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.

[angiefox10]

I have been in here posting about this for awhile.

What I know for sure.... is this didn't just start. It's just now getting attention. I have posted that my husband has had to go to court for another issue about once a month. He has been seeing the people who have come before the judge every month. Not just one... but many. Can it only be, they are all being tried on the same day of the month he is in court?

I know there is more than one person doing this. Every time my husband is at the courthouse there are probably three to five people appearing before the judge for theft in The Villages. Those are the people they have caught.

I mention this because I fear that people will think if they catch someone... They have caught "the one".

Now... What I think....

I think that because this has not been reported people have a false sense of security and we are easy pickens. I think there aren't as many people on TOTV as people would like to think. I think that everyone who reads this needs to send an email out to everyone they know in The Villages, so there will be enough people watching... The paper boy will have a hard time getting through the neighborhood. Once everyone knows that we are aware of what's going on, and are vigilant about stopping people, asking questions, and calling the police... They will realize that it's just not safe for them here.

[njbchbum]

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.

Maybe it would be hard because there is no telling what time the perpetrator's car entered the gate, no photo of the vehicle leaving and no one knowing what vehicle the perpetrator used? Does that village gate even have a camera?

[swimdawg]

At the risk of being thrown under the bus....like I was the other night, I want to thank OscarO, LadyLaw, CarGuys and others for enlightening us, educating us, clueing us in, etc. for what is going on in our community.

Like Oscar said, our community is one of the safest. However, we are growing.

I have learned a lot the past few days about what I should do for prevention of crime. I worked in healthcare for many years and I believe in preventative care. The same can be said to prevent crime.

Thank you to those who "woke me up".

I hope the info given can prevent at least one crime, one break-in, one burglary.

Gratefully,
Karen

[ijusluvit]

I wonder how many folks leave at least one outside window or door unlocked at night?

My guess is the number is shockingly high. Even after some years of living here, this place creates a kind of euphoria which contributes to folks feeling a little safer than they are. I'm NOT suggesting we are not safe here. The opposite is true, but there is that constant idea of REALITY which should enter our thinking and give us a bit more caution than many of us seem to have. When we love it here and pinch ourselves because we're not sure how we could have been fortunate to have such a good retirement strategy, we leave ourselves more open and possible vulnerable.

I think the solution is to talk about this more often. We need to share more info about solid, affordable security plans, devices, etc. And we need to talk with our neighbors about plans for directly watching over each other.

[Barefoot]

I always assumed my dogs would be an excellent deterrent to anyone contemplating a break-in. The two dogs in Miona Shores slept through the robbery. And apparently the criminals moved the doggie door containing the dogs, and they were roaming through the house. I guess I better rethink my barking security system.

[swimdawg]

I wonder how many folks leave at least one outside window or door unlocked at night?

My guess is the number is shockingly high. Even after some years of living here, this place creates a kind of euphoria which contributes to folks feeling a little safer than they are. I'm NOT suggesting we are not safe here. The opposite is true, but there is that constant idea of REALITY which should enter our thinking and give us a bit more caution than many of us seem to have. When we love it here and pinch ourselves because we're not sure how we could have been fortunate to have such a good retirement strategy, we leave ourselves more open and possible vulnerable.

I think the solution is to talk about this more often. We need to share more info about solid, affordable security plans, devices, etc. And we need to talk with our neighbors about plans for directly watching over each other.

Gotta lighten this up a bit. Where is the LIKE button....or the AGREE button???

[graciegirl]

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.



Miona Shores is adjacent to another community and a public park. Someone could park in either area and walk in, avoiding the cameras.

[The Buckeyes]

Maybe it would be hard because there is no telling what time the perpetrator's car entered the gate, no photo of the vehicle leaving and no one knowing what vehicle the perpetrator used? Does that village gate even have a camera?

Even if there are non cameras at the gates.....how about signs "SMILE...your on closed circuit video!"
:spoken:

[billethkid]

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.

ANYONE can gain access to the streets in many/most villages without going through a gate....not driving....golf cart....walk in.

If one had a forum like TOTV in their previous home location and every break in or crime incidence in that location were put on the forum how would it compare?

We are a population of 100,000 plus with many, many, MANY more outside service providers than in a non retirement neighborhood. Plenty of action for opportunists. And as much as we don't like to hear it, some think the elderly are easy pickings.

I think it is unfortunate that some feel the TV is more secure because it is "gated". The "gates" provide traffic control....of sorts?!! TV is not a gated community. It is open to anybody that wants to come down our streets, anytime they want.

We have less crime than most communities our size.
Our streets are safer than most communities our size.
Our homes are easier to get into than those in most communities our size.
Security is a function of one's lifestyle and or not a function of one's lifestyle.

One can take steps/actions to minimize or avoid being/becoming a victim....it does not come from anybody else.

[The Buckeyes]

Maybe it would be hard because there is no telling what time the perpetrator's car entered the gate, no photo of the vehicle leaving and no one knowing what vehicle the perpetrator used? Does that village gate even have a camera?

Even if there are no cameras at the gates.....how about signs "SMILE...your on closed circuit video!"
:spoken:

[shcisamax]

I always assumed my dogs would be an excellent deterrent to anyone contemplating a break-in. The two dogs in Miona Shores slept through the robbery. And apparently the criminals moved the doggie door containing the dogs, and they were roaming through the house. I guess I better rethink my barking security system.

That isn't encouraging. I was counting on the same. Yowzer.

[KyWoman]

Miona Shores is adjacent to another community and a public park. Someone could park in either area and walk in, avoiding the cameras.

Grace, Miona Shores has only one entrance/exit and is bordered with high walls and Lake Miona. One could jump the wall, but it might be difficult to escape with a large TV and other items that were taken.

This robbery that occured while the owners were sleeping has really alarmed me and we will be installing an alarm system....along with the security system we already have.

These low lifes better think twice about breaking into someone's home while the owners are sleeping. They just might find someone who wakes easily with a loaded weapon at their side.

[Bogie Shooter]

I always assumed my dogs would be an excellent deterrent to anyone contemplating a break-in. The two dogs in Miona Shores slept through the robbery. And apparently the criminals moved the doggie door containing the dogs, and they were roaming through the house. I guess I better rethink my barking security system.

Where did you read about the doggie door being moved?

[swimdawg]

ANYONE can gain access to the streets in many/most villages without going through a gate....not driving....golf cart....walk in.

If one had a forum like TOTV in their previous home location and every break in or crime incidence in that location were put on the forum how would it compare?

One can take steps/actions to minimize or avoid being/becoming a victim....it does not come from anybody else.

I'll make this short. I sure wish many years ago, I would have read the advice given on OscarO's threads.

[buggyone]

Grace, Miona Shores has only one entrance/exit and is bordered with high walls and Lake Miona. One could jump the wall, but it might be difficult to escape with a large TV and other items that were taken.

This robbery that occured while the owners were sleeping has really alarmed me and we will be installing an alarm system....along with the security system we already have.

These low lifes better think twice about breaking into someone's home while the owners are sleeping. They just might find someone who wakes easily with a loaded weapon at their side.

Has it been released as to what items were stolen from the home?

I can understand the above message about someone with a loaded weapon at their side - however, please remember a few things. As one of our former posters, Figmo, used to say - shooting under a stressful situation can bring about bad results and it is very possible the person shot will not be a burglar but a family member. Secondly, it has been known to happen that a burglar has taken a loaded gun from the homeowner and shot the homeowner.

[Carl in Tampa]

If the doors are locked, I do not see how it is possible (in a one level house) to break in with no noise. I would like to know more details before completely believing this one. Possible but seems unlikely at this point. Just posting my opinion.

After completing a government school in surreptitious entry I went home and showed my wife that I could pick the lock on our front door in under five seconds. She looked at me with icy blue eyes and asked, "Now, what are you going to do about it?"

I installed an alarm that would wake us if any door or window was opened.

Lock picking by burglars is uncommon. Forcibly defeating the lock is more common. A large screwdriver is all that is needed to force open the average front door. It is not necessarily noisy. Frequently this is all that is needed to force open a sliding glass door.

While we were on vacation an attempt was made to burglarize our house through the back (sliding glass) door. The screen was cut and opened but the door could not be opened because I had installed a metal bar that prevented the door from being opened even if the lock was defeated. Usually these bars can be defeated but I had modified mine to make that more difficult.

Our next door neighbor was burglarized while they slept. One pane was silently removed from a window, the window unlocked and opened and the house entered. They had a dog, but characteristic of the breed, the Beagle was friendly.

Day time burglaries are more common than night time burglaries because at night the residents can be expected to be home. The prospective burglar rings the door bell. If someone comes to the door the burglar offers to provide some kind of service and then moves on. If no one comes to the door it only takes a moment to kick it in.

A friend in Tampa who is a retired deputy sheriff had a sophisticated camera system installed in his house. It records anyone who enters his yard. A year ago his house was burglarized. The burglar damaged the house and stole several items but failed to remove the DVD with his picture on it. The picture was turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Through diligent investigation of his own the retired deputy identified the burglar and gave the information to the Sheriff's Office and an arrest was made. The trial was scheduled for early January. Even with a plea deal the burglar will be spending several years in prison.

An earlier poster pointed out that the local Sheriff's Office offers a free security analysis of your house. This is probably offered by all three SOs that patrol The Villages. It might be a good idea for you to have the survey done.

:police:

[KyWoman]

Has it been released as to what items were stolen from the home?

I can understand the above message about someone with a loaded weapon at their side - however, please remember a few things. As one of our former posters, Figmo, used to say - shooting under a stressful situation can bring about bad results and it is very possible the person shot will not be a burglar but a family member. Secondly, it has been known to happen that a burglar has taken a loaded gun from the homeowner and shot the homeowner.

I have a well trained roommate and I think there are many Vets in The Villages who are trained also. Rolling over and playing dead won't solve the problem..

[swimdawg]

After completing a government school in surreptitious entry I went home and showed my wife that I could pick the lock on our front door in under five seconds. She looked at me with icy blue eyes and asked, "Now, what are you going to do about it?"

I installed an alarm that would wake us if any door or window was opened.

Lock picking by burglars is uncommon. Forcibly defeating the lock is more common. A large screwdriver is all that is needed to force open the average front door. It is not necessarily noisy. Frequently this is all that is needed to force open a sliding glass door.

While we were on vacation an attempt was made to burglarize our house through the back (sliding glass) door. The screen was cut and opened but the door could not be opened because I had installed a metal bar that prevented the door from being opened even if the lock was defeated. Usually these bars can be defeated but I had modified mine to make that more difficult.

Our next door neighbor was burglarized while they slept. One pane was silently removed from a window, the window unlocked and opened and the house entered. They had a dog, but characteristic of the breed, the Beagle was friendly.

Day time burglaries are more common than night time burglaries because at night the residents can be expected to be home. The prospective burglar rings the door bell. If someone comes to the door the burglar offers to provide some kind of service and then moves on. If no one comes to the door it only takes a moment to kick it in.

A friend in Tampa who is a retired deputy sheriff had a sophisticated camera system installed in his house. It records anyone who enters his yard. A year ago his house was burglarized. The burglar damaged the house and stole several items but failed to remove the DVD with his picture on it. The picture was turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Through diligent investigation of his own the retired deputy identified the burglar and gave the information to the Sheriff's Office and an arrest was made. The trial was scheduled for early January. Even with a plea deal the burglar will be spending several years in prison.

An earlier poster pointed out that the local Sheriff's Office offers a free security analysis of your house. This is probably offered by all three SOs that patrol The Villages. It might be a good idea for you to have the survey done.

:police:

Where is that "LIKE" or "AGREE" button?

[buggyone]

I have a well trained roommate and I think there are many Vets in The Villages who are trained also. Rolling over and playing dead won't solve the problem..

My posting was to give a caution about guns and not to argue. Being a veteran does not make a person a trained gun handler. Most of the vets here have been out of the service from 20 to 40 years and have either just done game hunting or target shooting and have not been trained recently in shooting under stressful situations.

Best idea, in my opinion, is to get a monitored alarm system.

Would that burglar (?) at Miona Shores have stayed in the house at the wee morning hours if a 110db siren was sounding inside and outside the home as soon as the door or a window was opened?

[asianthree]

have to say that the alarm service may be picking up some new customers

[justjim]

I wonder what the police response time would be following an alarm going off. TV covers a large amount of square miles. Anyone on TOTV had any Experence?

[NotGolfer]

Could it be that the perps had cased the neighborhood (and the house) before they did their deed???

Years ago (in the 60's) we lived in the country (rural) in a rented home. Our house had a near break-in during the night while we were asleep. The doors/windows were locked and the perp(s) tried to pry a window with a broom or some other device which slipped and broke the window which woke us up. They didn't get in but scared the devil out of us for a good while. We called law enforcement but no one was ever caught. Not sure what these folks were looking for as we were quite poor at the time and didn't have any valuables.

While these break-ins are troubling we can only take measures to "try" to keep safe and most of us know what to do. We do live in about as safe of a community as any in the U.S. I think truth be told, "IF" we knew the half of what happens on a daily basis in this country we'd be doing more than speculation on a social media site. Let's all take the necessary measures, help one another in our neighborhoods as possible by being vigilent and reporting any weird things we might be observing to law enforcement people.

[samhass]

At the risk of being thrown under the bus....like I was the other night, I want to thank OscarO, LadyLaw, CarGuys and others for enlightening us, educating us, clueing us in, etc. for what is going on in our community.

Like Oscar said, our community is one of the safest. However, we are growing.

I have learned a lot the past few days about what I should do for prevention of crime. I worked in healthcare for many years and I believe in preventative care. The same can be said to prevent crime.

Thank you to those who "woke me up".

I hope the info given can prevent at least one crime, one break-in, one

burglary.

Gratefully,
Karen

I agree! I want to know if there are crimes being committed in my community. I don't like being a "mushroom".

[graciegirl]

Could it be that the perps had cased the neighborhood (and the house) before they did their deed???

Years ago (in the 60's) we lived in the country (rural) in a rented home. Our house had a near break-in during the night while we were asleep. The doors/windows were locked and the perp(s) tried to pry a window with a broom or some other device which slipped and broke the window which woke us up. They didn't get in but scared the devil out of us for a good while. We called law enforcement but no one was ever caught. Not sure what these folks were looking for as we were quite poor at the time and didn't have any valuables.

While these break-ins are troubling we can only take measures to "try" to keep safe and most of us know what to do. We do live in about as safe of a community as any in the U.S. I think truth be told, "IF" we knew the half of what happens on a daily basis in this country we'd be doing more than speculation on a social media site. Let's all take the necessary measures, help one another in our neighborhoods as possible by being vigilent and reporting any weird things we might be observing to law enforcement people.



I agree. This forum can be a huge help in the effort to protect ourselves.

[graciegirl]

This is so alarming! Might there be a common denominator among those who were burglarized? For example, builder, subcontractors, service providers, social circles?



I am pretty sure that most of the builders in charge of crews have had a long history working for the Morses. Both of the builders for our first house and second home said they had been there since Gary Morse came from Michigan, but subs are another story.


I keep thinking that if anyone beside your neighbors are on your street working, do not leave together.

[Carl in Tampa]

I am pretty sure that most of the builders in charge of crews have had a long history working for the Morses. Both of the builders for our first house and second home said they had been there since Gary Morse came from Michigan, but subs are another story.


I keep thinking that if anyone beside your neighbors are on your street working, do not leave together.

:agree:

The concept of "casing the neighborhood" extends to include door to door salesmen and religious groups. That is why many Neighborhood Watch neighborhoods post "No Soliciting" signs, which have the force of law when properly implemented.

Any time there are strangers around your house you should avoid leaving if it will let them know you are leaving your house vacant.

.

[TVMayor]

I wonder if robbers like Ma Barker, Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson or Willie Sutton ever had a second job cutting grass or spraying weeds. I think not. I do no see the bad guys being contractors. I compare the bad guys with miners. If a guy is a gold miner, is he going to make more money in a gold mine or a coal mine? Is TV a gold mine or a coal mine? With Wildwood and Fruitland Park in close proximity….you get the idea.

[Carl in Tampa]

I wonder if robbers like Ma Barker, Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson or Willie Sutton ever had a second job cutting grass or spraying weeds. I think not. I do no see the bad guys being contractors. I compare the bad guys with miners. If a guy is a gold miner, is he going to make more money in a gold mine or a coal mine? Is TV a gold mine or a coal mine? With Wildwood and Fruitland Park in close proximity….you get the idea.

None of the "robbers" you name were "burglars." They are different kinds of criminals.

You also named robbers from the 1930s. Todays burglars are likely to be from the day laborer working class (cutting grass and spraying weeds) who sell the things they steal at a pawn shop. (Which is why it is important to have serial numbers recorded for your TVs, cameras, computers and firearms. Police routinely check the serial numbers on these items when they are sold or pawned. Having photos and descriptions of your jewelry is also very valuable.)

.

[Carl in Tampa]

Not to add to anyone's paranoia, but if you have a doggie door, you are an easier target.

This video Crawling thru the doggy door - YouTube shows a teen ager crawling through a doggie door.

I once apprehended a team of professional burglars where the adults used young (6 to 8 year old) children to squeeze into buildings through small openings and then open the doors from the inside for the adults.

.

[zcaveman]

Not to add to anyone's paranoia, but if you have a doggie door, you are an easier target.

This video Crawling thru the doggy door - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGWtArohCx4) shows a teen ager crawling through a doggie door.

I once apprehended a team of professional burglars where the adults used young (6 to 8 year old) children to squeeze into buildings through small openings and then open the doors from the inside for the adults.

.

Quoted to show link to video.

Z

[vicaroo]

The villages online news had this report of the burglary.

A Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores home was burglarized early Friday morning as a husband and wife were sleeping in their bedroom.
The wife attempted to wake the husband at 3:37 a.m. thinking she heard a noise, but they went back to sleep. The woman then got up at 4:15 a.m.
She immediately noticed that their dogs, usually secured behind a doggie gate, were roaming about the house, located in the 1100 block of Miona Shores Drive, according to Lt. Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
She and her husband soon discovered that a screen on the lanai had been cut. Entry was gained through a sliding glass door.
Items taken in the break-in included a 50-inch flat screen television, a digital camera and a Macintosh computer, Caruthers said.

[Bogie Shooter]

Today's Daily Sun, in the Local section, reports the rash of break-in's and the damage to the Riley Grove golf course.

[buggyone]

I wonder what the police response time would be following an alarm going off. TV covers a large amount of square miles. Anyone on TOTV had any Experence?

I do not think that the response time of the police is at question when a 110db siren goes off inside and outside the house at 3:30am. The intruder would take off running because of the blaring alarm.

I am still wondering how a burglar would take a 50 inch television with no one waking up and why two little dogs would not make a sound while 2 people (presuming that) root around the house looking for a camera, computer, and unhooking a television - and carry it out with no noise. They certainly would have had flashlights that cast light.

Very strange, to say the least.

[graciegirl]

Bridgeport at Miona Shores home burglarized while couple sleeps

January 3, 2014 By Meta Minton (http://www.*******************/author/meta-minton/) 20 Comments (http://www.*******************/sheriffs-office-investigating-rash-villages-break-ins/#comments)
A Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores home was burglarized early Friday morning as a husband and wife were sleeping in their bedroom.
The wife attempted to wake the husband at 3:37 a.m. thinking she heard a noise, but they went back to sleep. The woman then got up at 4:15 a.m.
She immediately noticed that their dogs, usually secured behind a doggie gate, were roaming about the house, located in the 1100 block of Miona Shores Drive, according to Lt. Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
She and her husband soon discovered that a screen on the lanai had been cut. Entry was gained through a sliding glass door.
Items taken in the break-in included a 50-inch flat screen television, a digital camera and a Macintosh computer, Caruthers said.
This makes eight burglaries which have taken place in the past 60 days in The Villages.
Of the seven burglaries, four included forced entry by kicking in the front door, two gained entry through forcing open a sliding glass door and the final burglary was to an automobile, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The burglaries have occurred on the following dates:
• Nov. 3 in the Village of Pinellas at Cedar Grove.
• Nov. 20 in the Village of Sanibel.
• Nov. 21 in the Village of Fernandina.
• Dec. 18 in the Village of Glenbrook.
• Dec. 19, again in the Village of Sanibel.
• Dec. 24 in the Village of Polo Ridge.
• Dec. 26, again in the Village of Fernandina.
Villages Homeowners Association Director-at-Large Irv Markely, a resident of the Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores, has been trying to keep his neighbors aware of such incidents and sent out an email blast to his neighborhood encouraging vigilance.
Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe urges Villagers to take advantage of the sheriff’s free home inspection program. Through it, a member of the sheriff’s office will visit a home and provide tips on securing the home. You can schedule an appointment by calling 689-4600.
He added that neighbors looking out for neighbors is also effective.

[kittygilchrist]

My posting was to give a caution about guns and not to argue. Being a veteran does not make a person a trained gun handler. Most of the vets here have been out of the service from 20 to 40 years and have either just done game hunting or target shooting and have not been trained recently in shooting under stressful situations.

Best idea, in my opinion, is to get a monitored alarm system.

Would that burglar (?) at Miona Shores have stayed in the house at the wee morning hours if a 110db siren was sounding inside and outside the home as soon as the door or a window was opened?

Yes a loud alarm is a good idea...but here's what I think when I see the ads for waiting for a burglar alarm system to tell you what to do in a break-in....

Me: Hello?
ADT: This is your burglar alarm company. There's a burglar in your house. We're sending the police.
Me: Thanks for waking me up so I can talk on the phone and now they know I'm in here awake. Now what do I do?
ADT: Just wait there. Help is on the way.

[Happinow]

I wonder what the police response time would be following an alarm going off. TV covers a large amount of square miles. Anyone on TOTV had any Experence?

I can tell you the response time. Just last week, my husband accidentally pushed the "panic" button on our alarm system. This button is only used when you are in immediate danger. It bypasses calling to home owner to ask if everything is alright or the people on your call list and calls the sheriff directly. The response time was about 3 minutes.....maybe less. We were pretty impressed.

[buggyone]

Yes a loud alarm is a good idea...but here's what I think when I see the ads for waiting for a burglar alarm system to tell you what to do in a break-in....

Me: Hello?
ADT: This is your burglar alarm company. There's a burglar in your house. We're sending the police.
Me: Thanks for waking me up so I can talk on the phone and now they know I'm in here awake. Now what do I do?
ADT: Just wait there. Help is on the way.


Probably in the meantime, the intruder has taken off running - and you can secure yourself in your locked bathroom with whatever means of self defense you have along with your phone. Remember, that 110db siren is still blaring both inside and outside the house.

From your picture on the forum, it looks like your boxer would protect you. Good looking dog!

[TVMayor]

I do not think that the response time of the police is at question when a 110db siren goes off inside and outside the house at 3:30am. The intruder would take off running because of the blaring alarm.

I am still wondering how a burglar would take a 50 inch television with no one waking up and why two little dogs would not make a sound while 2 people (presuming that) root around the house looking for a camera, computer, and unhooking a television - and carry it out with no noise. They certainly would have had flashlights that cast light.

Very strange, to say the least.
The answer is obvious Watson, the dogs were in on it.

[foodcritic]

This thread is not meant to cause panic but to educate.

Early this morning between 1:15 and 4:00 AM, there was a break-in at a home in Miona Shores. The residents were sleeping. Items of value were taken.

Of course, the sheriff's office was notified and they are checking the gate cameras.

The fact remains that The Villages is probably one of the safest communities to live in an area of over 100,000 residents. However, we must remain vigilant.

Don't intend to diminish the severity of this issue, but Miona Shores is a rather affluent community, if memory serves me right, and monitored alarm systems don't cost that much.

[springfield]

It doesn't matter where we live in TV. We can't assume anything about the people in a village. Bottom line, we need to be vigilant and look out for one another. We just got home from a gathering at the house right behind the place that was robbed. Although the hostess was up early, she really heard nothing. We just need to be aware and report anything that doesn't feel right.

[Barefoot]

I am still wondering how a burglar would take a 50 inch television with no one waking up and why two little dogs would not make a sound while 2 people (presuming that) root around the house looking for a camera, computer, and unhooking a television - and carry it out with no noise.


A Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores home was burglarized early Friday morning as a husband and wife were sleeping in their bedroom. The wife attempted to wake the husband at 3:37 a.m. thinking she heard a noise, but they went back to sleep.

It was reported by the Media that the wife thought she heard a noise. The invaders may have been armed. So perhaps it's best that the home owners didn't go to investigate.

[Wing-nut2]

I put in an alarm. Yes, I have to pay to have it monitored. I get a small amour off my home owners insurance, but I think it's worth it.

[Bogie Shooter]

Don't intend to diminish the severity of this issue, but Miona Shores is a rather affluent community, if memory serves me right, and monitored alarm systems don't cost that much.

As has been suggested by others, the cost of a alarm system has a wide range. Any Villager could afford a system of some type if that is the direction they choose. Implying that the folks that were robbed, should have already had their alarm is in poor judgement.